Denouncing the comments made against Jana Sena Party president and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan by some Telangana leaders, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker K. Raghu Ramakrishna Raju said that one could express his or her opinions in a democracy but there was no place for such politics of intimidation.

He stated on X on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) that the threat to “cut out his tongue” was heinous and that people would not tolerate the abusive remarks passed on Mr. Pawan Kalyan, calling him a leader who was tirelessly working for the people and facing countless challenges in public life. Every individual who loves Telangana has the right to speak up for its people and, if necessary, to fight for them.

Mr. Ramakrishna Raju hoped that the two States would move forward with mutual respect and brotherhood, while pledging his support to the Deputy Chief Minister, whose vow to contest the 2028 Assembly elections in Telangana sparked an intense political debate in the two Telugu-speaking States.