Jana Sena Party president and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan often speaks about environmental protection and pollution control measures.
In fact, he has repeatedly stated that he chose the Environment and Forests Ministry due to his deep concern for the environment.
However, his commitment to environmental conservation came into question after his recent public meeting at Chitrada village, near his Assembly constituency, Pithapuram, on the occasion of the Jana Sena Party’s 12th foundation day.
Even before the event, local residents protested against the meeting’s preparations, as party organizers uprooted several trees and caused major disruptions by blocking traffic.
Despite these concerns, people cooperated with Jana Sena Party leaders and cadres, seemingly out of their admiration for Pawan Kalyan, whom they had elected with a significant majority last year.
While the event itself went as planned, its aftermath left the residents of Chitrada dealing with severe pollution.
Reports suggest that although Pawan Kalyan had instructed his party workers to clean up the venue and remove all flex banners after the event, these directives were not properly implemented.
Sources revealed that Kakinada MP T Uday Srinivas formed a committee of Jana Sena Party leaders to oversee the cleanup at Chitrada, as massive amounts of garbage had accumulated at the venue.
However, instead of conducting a thorough cleanup, party leaders and cadres merely engaged in superficial efforts, posing for photographs while pretending to clean the area before leaving.
Subsequently, workers under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme—operating under Pawan Kalyan’s own department — were assigned to collect the garbage, which was then gathered into piles and set on fire.
The burning of plastic waste led to severe air pollution, causing significant distress to the residents of Chitrada.
Even days after the event, the flex banners used for the Jana Sena gathering remain scattered at the venue, further exacerbating environmental concerns.
