Only 8000 acres enough for capital, says Pawan at Bethampudi

Tollywood Power star and Jana sena leader Pawan Kalyan has declared that 33,000 acres was not needed for building the capital and that he was ready to stage an indefinite fast if necessary in defense of hapless farmers who are forced to give up their livelihood option and only source of bread and butter.

In what could be seen as a direct attack on TDP and AP government, the power star questioned the logic of building another Singapore in AP and said just 8000 acres are enough for the new capital .'When the government did not have funds for complete loan waiver, where from it is getting money for building of new capital?' he questioned.

'Why there is no comprehensive uproar over the fact that the centre is not giving special status to AP yet. Instead the Government is busy pushing for land acquisition just to make room for investments from Japan etc. Pawan said he was not opposed to investment drives.' Investments are very much needed, no doubt but not at cost of livelihood of farmers who have no other way to live.

Pawan said nation will prosper only when villages prosper.' I will fight with farmers if their lands are grabbed in land pooling or land acquisition,' he declared. Land should be collected only if they are voluntarily given by farmers giving them enough options to live and work, he said.

Farmers are scared and doubtful on the credibility of government to fulfil its promises, after the loan waiver debacle, he said at Bethampudi village where the admirers and farmers offered him payasam. He said during the YSR period lands were taken away from farmers forcibly for SEZ and the current effort is also seen in the same light and farmers are worried whether they will get their due when the jobs is done.

The Janasena leader said that he was not bothered even if the Bethampudi village was stronghold of YSRC.' Like others I will not say that justice will come to you in five years. But I will stand with you from now onwards to fight for your cause.'