TuJulietJattDiSerial.Com
The Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh suggested that the renowned coconut groves of Konaseema may have been destroyed due to ‘drishti,’ commonly referred to as the ‘evil eye
A statement by Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan regarding a superstitious belief has ignited a political controversy. Leaders from Telangana have accused him of insulting their state and threatened to halt screenings of the actor-politician’s films.
Last week, while inspecting seawater-damaged coconut plantations in Konaseema, Kalyan praised the region’s lush greenery and noted that people from Telangana had also admired it before the state’s 2014 bifurcation. He suggested that the famed coconut groves may have been destroyed due to “drishti,” or the “evil eye.” Some interpreted this as blaming the people of Telangana.
Seawater intrusion has ruined thousands of acres of coconut crops in Konaseema. Discussing the environmental damage, Kalyan said, “Leaders from Telangana used to praise Konaseema’s greenery… Perhaps a lot of drishti (evil eye) was cast on it. Just as a black stone cracks under a strong curse, Konaseema’s coconut trees seem to have been affected similarly.”
Telangana leaders criticized Kalyan for his remarks, calling them an insult at a time when the two Telugu states are working to foster cooperation.
Telangana Ministers Demand Apology from Andhra Deputy CM
Telangana Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy issued a stern warning to Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, demanding an immediate apology for his “evil eye” remarks about Konaseema’s coconut groves. “If Pawan Kalyan does not tender an unconditional apology, his movies will not be permitted to be screened anywhere in Telangana,” he said, adding that Telangana has long suffered under Andhra leadership, citing decades of fluoride-contaminated water.
Animal Husbandry Minister Vakati Srihari criticized Kalyan’s comments as politically motivated and lacking maturity, claiming the deputy CM is “unable to digest” the developmental progress of the newly formed Telangana. Congress MLA J. Anirudh Reddy also questioned Kalyan’s continued residence in Hyderabad, suggesting that if he believed Telangana cast an evil eye, he should sell his properties there and move to Vijayawada.
