Mangalagiri: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan emphasized that performance is the true benchmark in politics and stated that recognizing the contributions of those who work alongside him is his responsibility. Speaking to the media on Monday, Pawan Kalyan addressed the issue of appointing his brother and Jana Sena leader Naga Babu as a minister.
“Despite lacking a strong background, my elder brother (Naga Babu) has risen on his own. Now, the next generation in our family has a foundation. It is my duty to acknowledge those who have journeyed and worked with us. Naga Babu has worked equally hard alongside me, facing criticism from YSRCP leaders and standing firm for the party. Here, caste and nepotism are not criteria; the focus is on merit and dedication. Earlier, we announced him as an MP candidate but later had to withdraw,” Pawan Kalyan remarked.
He further stated, “Individuals like Manohar and Hariprasad have been with the party from the beginning. We allocate positions based on talent and performance. Why don’t you question Jagan in the same way? Why only Pawan Kalyan? Naga Babu will be appointed as an MLC, and discussions regarding a ministerial position will happen later. Initially, we considered nominating him to the Rajya Sabha, but it didn’t materialize, so we opted for an MLC role.
For instance, I didn’t even know which caste Kandula Durgesh belonged to. I offered him a ministerial position based on his work. In politics, caste doesn’t matter; it is the performance that counts,” Pawan Kalyan concluded.