Popular Telugu film actor and Jana Sena Party founder Pawan Kalyan will address a public meeting in Tirupati on Saturday. His decision triggered speculations in political circles about the purpose.This will be his first public meeting since 2014 Lok Sabha elections when Pawan formed the party and campaigned for the BJP-TDP alliance. The party, however, did not contest the polls.The sudden decision by the actor to hold the public meeting in the temple town took everyone by surprise. The police also gave permission for the gathering on his assurance that he will conduct it peacefully with the help of his party volunteers.
Tirupati Urban Superintendent of Police Vijayalakshmi made it clear that they did not have sufficient force available to make law and order arrangements as policemen were still returning from their duties during Krishna Pushkaralu, the 12-day Krishna river festival.Pawan is likely to give political direction to his party activists to prepare the ground for the next elections.He is also likely to spell out his stand on the issue of special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Last week, he said he will speak on the issue at an appropriate time.Pawan had earlier stated that the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre should fulfil its promise to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh.
The actor arrived in Tirupati on Thursday and met a family of his fan who was stabbed to death by the fan of another popular Telugu actor, Junior NTR.Pawan appealed to his fans not to resort to violence in the name of adoration. Describing Junior NTR as his "friend", Pawan urged his fans to desist from such attacks in their bid to show affection for him.Pawan's fan Y. Vinod Kumar, 24, was stabbed to death at Kolar in Karnataka a couple of days ago during a quarrel involving the fans of the two leading Telugu stars.