Jagan Reddy 'threatening IPS officers', govt will take action: Pawan Kalyan

Pawan Kalyan, Andhra Pradesh's Deputy CM, on Sunday claimed YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy is "threatening IPS officers" and stated that the government would intervene if harm befalls them.

His remarks follow recent statements by Reddy, who warned that a future YSRCP government would not spare police officials for allegedly harassing opposition party members.

“The former CM (Jagan) is threatening police officers. I am saying that if anyone makes these threats to officials and if even a fly falls on them or they suffer a scratch, Jagan will be held responsible. We will take suo motu cognizance of these threats,” Kalyan told reporters on the sidelines of a Forest Department event.

The actor-politician stated that no official would be intimidated by Reddy's threats, noting that while the YSRCP chief may be a former CM, he still bears responsibility.

Reminding that Jagan is also an MLA, Kalyan claimed that the NDA government, comprising TDP, BJP, and Janasena, is a "good government" and not an "inefficient one".

Further, the Janasena chief assured that if Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y S Sharmila, sister of Jagan, applies for security, the government "will assess the threats against her and provide security accordingly".

Additionally, he suggested that "neighbourhood defence committees" should be established in the state similar to those in the Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir to protect women.

"There should be neighbourhood defence committees and I will discuss this with senior police officials," he added.

Later, in a post on X, Kalyan said 'karma' would catch up eventually while noting that constructive criticism is healthy, but not abuse, death threats, or rape threats.

"In a democracy, we all can differ on many issues, and expressing dissent should be confined to policy," he said.

Families and individuals should not be targeted. There should be no caste slurs, attacks on one's faith, their gods and goddesses, or people who are helpless and meek, he said.

According to the Deputy Chief Minister, "muscle power, money power, and criminal gangs will never intimidate the average citizen of Bharat."

"So my request to all criminal gangs and social media abusers of the previous regime (YSRCP): think 100 times before you abuse. Karma will catch up," Kalyan added.