KTR said the State was created after a long democratic movement and warned political leaders from outside Telangana against making insensitive remarks about its formation and aspirations.

Telangana built on sacrifice, says KTR

Responding to Pawan Kalyan's comments that regionalism could be more dangerous than terrorism, KTR said Telangana was undeniably the land of its native people who fought, sacrificed and shed blood for statehood.

"Telangana is the rightful domain of its people. There should be no doubt about that. This is a land earned through struggles, sacrifices and the aspirations of millions," he said.

At the same time, KTR emphasised that people from all regions were welcome to live, work and do business in Telangana. He noted that despite the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, people had continued to coexist peacefully.

"We wanted the States to be separated administratively but the people to remain united socially," he said.

Questions Pawan's stand on regionalism

KTR questioned Pawan Kalyan's criticism of regionalism and cited the movement for a separate Andhra State led by Potti Sriramulu.

"If demanding a separate region is regionalism, was Potti Sriramulu's 58-day fast for a separate Andhra State also regionalism?" he asked.

'PM Modi is favouring Gujarat'

He further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of favouring Gujarat by attracting industries away from Telangana, describing it as 'economic regionalism.'

"If regionalism is wrong, then is it right for the Prime Minister to function only in the interests of Gujarat?" KTR questioned.

'Need no lessons on patriotism'

Rejecting allegations that Telangana's identity politics undermined national unity, KTR said the people of Telangana did not need lessons in patriotism.

"This is a land that fought against the Nizam's rule and witnessed historic people's movements. We respect the nation and have a strong sense of national identity," he said.

'Respect for Pawan, not political interference'

While maintaining that he respected Pawan Kalyan as Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister and as an actor, KTR objected to what he described as attempts to dictate Telangana's politics.

"We respect him as Deputy Chief Minister. We admire him as an actor. If he comes home as a guest, we will serve him Hyderabad biryani. But we will not accept anyone trying to exercise authority over Telangana's affairs," he remarked.

Swipe at OG movie

KTR also took a swipe at Pawan Kalyan's recent movie 'OG', saying Telangana already had its own 'original OG' in former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, who he claimed would continue to safeguard the State's interests.

'No objection to Jana Sena contesting in Telangana'

Clarifying that BRS had no objection to political parties from other States contesting elections in Telangana, KTR said the Constitution gave every citizen and political party the right to contest anywhere in the country.

However, he stressed that leaders entering Telangana politics should understand the State's history, aspirations and sacrifices. "Anyone can contest elections here. Jana Sena has already contested in Telangana in previous elections. Who is stopping them?" he asked.

Criticism over Telangana Formation Day meeting

KTR also questioned the decision to organise a political meeting on Telangana Formation Day while simultaneously expressing reservations about the State's bifurcation.

Referring to earlier comments by leaders who had opposed how Telangana was created, he said such statements hurt the sentiments of people who had fought for statehood.

"If someone did not support Telangana's formation, they should say it openly instead of making indirect remarks. Telangana was not created casually; it was achieved through enormous sacrifice," he said.

'Congress, not BRS, responsible for event controversy'

On allegations that a proposed political meeting was obstructed, KTR said any grievance should be directed at the Congress government and not at BRS.

"Who stopped your meeting? If there was any obstruction, it came from the Congress government. Why blame us?" he asked.

Reiterating his stand, KTR said Telangana welcomed democratic participation from all political parties but expected respect for the State's history and the sentiments of its people.