Telangana minister tells Pawan Kalyan: Apologise first, then hold Hyderabad rally
Synopsis
Telangana's transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar has drawn a clear line: Pawan Kalyan must apologise for past remarks before holding a 'Nava Nirmana Sabha' in Hyderabad. With allegations of a secret BJP deal and a prior threat to ban Kalyan's films in Telangana, the proposed rally is fast becoming a flashpoint in the state's already charged political landscape.
Key Takeaways
Telangana minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Monday demanded Pawan Kalyan apologise before holding the 'Nava Nirmana Sabha' in Hyderabad .
Prabhakar cited Kalyan's alleged remark about Telangana's 'evil eye' withering Konaseema's coconut trees as the basis for the apology demand.
The Congress leader alleged Kalyan is advancing the BJP 's political agenda in Telangana through the proposed rally.
In December last year, minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy had threatened to block Kalyan's films in Telangana theatres over the same controversy.
Prabhakar questioned why the 'Nava Nirmana Sabha' was not being held in BJP-ruled states like Gujarat , Madhya Pradesh , or Uttar Pradesh .
Telangana's minister for transport and backward classes welfare Ponnam Prabhakar on Monday demanded that Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan publicly apologise to the people of Telangana before proceeding with plans to hold a public meeting in Hyderabad. The demand came in direct response to reported plans by Kalyan's Jana Sena Party to organise an event titled 'Nava Nirmana Sabha' in the city.
What Triggered the Demand
Addressing a press conference, Ponnam Prabhakar recalled a remark attributed to Pawan Kalyan — that 'if the people of Telangana cast an eye, the coconut trees of Konaseema will wither away.' The minister also alleged that Kalyan had once stated he would stop eating for 11 days if Telangana state was formed. Prabhakar argued that such statements amounted to an insult to Telangana's self-respect and warranted a formal apology before any political outreach in the state.
Congress Alleges BJP Agenda
The Congress leader further alleged that Pawan Kalyan is acting as a vehicle for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s political agenda in Telangana. He questioned why the 'Nava Nirmana Sabha' was not being held in BJP-governed states such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, or Uttar Pradesh. 'If under the BJP's direction, you incite hatred and provoke divisions in Telangana, we won't sit quiet,' Prabhakar said. He alleged that the Jana Sena leader had entered into a 'secret deal' with the BJP to make statements that stoke regional tensions.
Background: The Konaseema Controversy
Pawan Kalyan had reportedly blamed the 'evil eye' for coconut trees 'dying' in the Konaseema region, known for its lush agricultural landscape, during a visit to inspect trees damaged by seawater intrusion from a drain. Critics in Telangana interpreted the remark as an oblique reference to the bifurcation of the state, triggering a sharp political backlash. In December last year, Telangana's cinematography minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy had warned that Kalyan's films would be barred from Telangana theatres if he did not apologise over what were described as 'insulting' remarks.
Tone and Stakes
Ponnam Prabhakar clarified that while anyone is welcome to participate in Telangana Formation Day celebrations, the people of Telangana were not prepared to listen to the Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister if he arrived to hold a 'Nava Nirmana Sabha.' He added that 'no real son of Telangana' would attend a meeting hosted by someone who had insulted the state. The minister nonetheless stressed that Telangana's people harbour goodwill toward Andhra Pradesh and that it was specifically the alleged insults — not the broader relationship — that were unacceptable.
With Telangana Formation Day approaching and inter-state political tensions already elevated, the row over the proposed Hyderabad rally is set to intensify in the coming days.
Point of View
And Pawan Kalyan's proposed 'Nava Nirmana Sabha' — a phrase that itself echoes state-building rhetoric — hands them a ready target. What is notable is the escalation pattern: a film-ban threat in December, now a pre-condition for a public meeting. If Jana Sena proceeds regardless, the Congress risks looking ineffective; if Kalyan backs down or apologises, it signals the limits of his cross-border political reach. Either outcome shapes the 2029 electoral calculus in both states.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Telangana minister Ponnam Prabhakar demanding an apology from Pawan Kalyan?
Ponnam Prabhakar is demanding an apology over remarks attributed to Pawan Kalyan — including a statement that 'if the people of Telangana cast an eye, the coconut trees of Konaseema will wither away' — which Telangana leaders have described as insulting to the state's self-respect. Prabhakar also cited Kalyan's alleged claim that he would stop eating for 11 days if Telangana was formed.
What is the 'Nava Nirmana Sabha' that Jana Sena plans to hold in Hyderabad?
'Nava Nirmana Sabha' is a public meeting that Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena Party reportedly plans to organise in Hyderabad. Telangana's Congress leaders have questioned the timing and intent, alleging it is aimed at furthering the BJP's political agenda in the state.
What was the Konaseema coconut tree controversy involving Pawan Kalyan?
Pawan Kalyan reportedly attributed the deterioration of coconut trees in Andhra Pradesh's Konaseema region to an 'evil eye,' a remark critics in Telangana interpreted as a veiled reference to the bifurcation of the state. The comment drew strong reactions from Telangana politicians, with one minister threatening to ban Kalyan's films in the state.
Has there been a previous threat against Pawan Kalyan in Telangana?
Yes. In December last year, Telangana's cinematography minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy warned that Pawan Kalyan's films would not be allowed to release in Telangana theatres unless he apologised for his remarks. That threat has not been acted upon, but the controversy has persisted.
What is the Congress alleging about Jana Sena's ties with the BJP in Telangana?
Congress leader Ponnam Prabhakar alleged that Pawan Kalyan entered into a 'secret deal' with the BJP to make statements that inflame regional tensions in Telangana. He questioned why the 'Nava Nirmana Sabha' was not being held in BJP-governed states, suggesting the Hyderabad rally is politically motivated.
