After ten years in politics, K. Pawan Kalyan of the Jana Sena Party has finally been inducted into the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet as a Minister under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. At the swearing-in ceremony on June 12, his brother and fellow actor K. Chiranjeevi, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, watched on with pride as Pawan Kalyan signed relevant documents, shook hands with CM Naidu, and sought blessings from his brother by touching his feet. Pawan Kalyan's family, including wife Anna Lezhneva and children, were also present to witness the historic event.
Background
K. Pawan Kalyan, a popular actor and politician, has been inducted into the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet as a Minister after ten years in politics. Kalyan is the founder and president of the Jana Sena Party, which he launched in 2014.
Kalyan's political journey has been marked by ups and downs. He initially aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but later broke away to form his own party. In the 2019 general elections, the Jana Sena Party allied with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Induction into Cabinet
On June 12, 2023, Pawan Kalyan was sworn in as a Minister in the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The ceremony was attended by Kalyan's brother, fellow actor K. Chiranjeevi, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Kalyan's induction into the Cabinet is a significant development in Andhra Pradesh politics. It signals a renewed alliance between the TDP and the Jana Sena Party, which could potentially impact the upcoming 2024 state assembly elections.
FAQs
1. What is Pawan Kalyan's political affiliation? Pawan Kalyan is the founder and president of the Jana Sena Party.
2. When did Kalyan launch his political party? Kalyan launched the Jana Sena Party in 2014.
3. What was Kalyan's initial political alliance? Kalyan initially aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
4. How many times has Kalyan contested elections? Kalyan has contested in two general elections, in 2014 and 2019.
5. What is the significance of Kalyan's induction into the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet? Kalyan's induction into the Cabinet signals a renewed alliance between the TDP and the Jana Sena Party, potentially impacting the 2024 state assembly elections.
Amid the heated debate over language in India, Janasena Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has urged for the protection and promotion of the country's linguistic diversity. Emphasizing the importance of multiple languages, including Tamil, Kalyan made a statement against the Union government's recent move to make Hindi the sole official language of India. This call for preserving India's diversity comes as tensions rise between the Centre and Tamil Nadu over language rights.
On the occasion of Jana Sena Party's 12th foundation day, party leader and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan addressed a large crowd at a public meeting held in Chitrada. Reflecting on the party's journey, he spoke about the challenges they have faced and highlighted the role of women in the movement. He also asserted that despite past political repression, the party has emerged victorious and is committed to working for the welfare of all.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a Purim celebration at the National Police Academy, drew a comparison between the story of Purim and the current conflict between Israel and Iran. He warned that the Jewish state must be prepared to defend itself against the modern-day Persian threat, just as the Jewish people were saved from annihilation in Persia. This came in the wake of the passing of Maxine Jacobs Bally, a long-time resident of Columbus and a beacon of love and warmth for her family and friends, who passed away on Feb. 7, 2025.
Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy has spoken out against the practice of offering freebies by political parties in India, stating that job creation instead of handouts is the key to eliminating poverty. He also suggested that government benefits should come with incentives or conditions to encourage positive outcomes. This comes after his previous recommendation for young people to be prepared to work long hours sparked a debate last year.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticizes Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's decision to remove the rupee symbol from the state's 2025-26 Budget logo, calling it an example of language and regional chauvinism. She points out that the rupee symbol was officially adopted in 2010 when the DMK was part of the ruling alliance at the Centre and warns that this decision reflects a dangerous mindset that weakens Indian unity. Sitharaman also reminds elected representatives of their constitutional duty to uphold the nation's sovereignty and integrity.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to impose Hindi on the state through the National Education Policy. He has been speaking out against the policy, calling it an attempt to develop Hindi instead of India. The centre has not responded to his recent attacks, with Stalin questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to federalism and accusing the BJP of seeking political revenge.
In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has ordered Google and social media platforms X and Meta to remove a video posted by journalist and YouTuber, Shyam Meera Singh, which criticizes spiritual leader Jaggi Sadhguru and his organization, Isha Foundation. The Court also directed Singh to refrain from publishing or sharing the video further. The decision was made on the grounds that the video contained unverified and potentially harmful information, and the title was deemed to be clickbait. The suit, filed by Isha Foundation, argued that the video was released with malicious intent just before a significant event involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the Chief Guest.
The Union government has proposed a new bill, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, in the Lok Sabha with the aim of better controlling India's borders and managing the entry and exit of foreigners. The bill, which will replace four existing laws, has already sparked concerns from critics who fear potential violations of fundamental rights and hindering the inflow of talent to the country. Despite this, the government seems determined to move forward with its plans to establish a Bureau of Immigration.
Artisans from across the state of Maharashtra have gathered in Parel's Bhivajirao Nare Park to protest against the Bombay High Court's ban on the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols. According to the court, only eco-friendly clay idols should be used for the festival, but the artisans argue that these idols are not strong enough for tall installations, which are a main characteristic and tourist attraction of the festival. They claim that the ban is being influenced by competitors in the clay idol business, and are exploring all options to reverse the ban. The High Court's judgement in January led to the installation of artificial ponds for the visarjan (immersion) of PoP idols in Mumbai.
On the anniversary of the historic Dandi March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to all those who played a crucial role in India's fight for freedom. He emphasized the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and the unwavering commitment to truth and non-violence displayed by the participants, stating that their legacy continues to inspire generations.