At a high-profile public event in Andhra Pradesh on Friday, Deputy Chief Minister and actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan made headlines by delivering a passionate segment of his speech in English—a rare move that drew immediate comparisons to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rhetorical style. Kalyan’s switch from Telugu to English, particularly while addressing the recent Pahalgam terror attack, appeared not only deliberate but deeply strategic, aimed at amplifying the state's message on national security beyond linguistic boundaries.
The event, attended by PM Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, was centered around the formal relaunch of the Amaravati capital project—an ambitious urban plan shelved for years and now being revived with significant central backing. With PM Modi present and a renewed development push underway, the gathering became an opportune platform for Kalyan to make a statement of both political solidarity and national resolve.
Starting his address in his customary Telugu, Kalyan initially focused on developmental aspirations for Amaravati, highlighting the vision of transforming it into a world-class capital. But as he transitioned to speaking on the Pahalgam attack—a tragic incident that claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local in Jammu and Kashmir—Kalyan abruptly shifted to English. The sudden switch was not lost on observers.
“The Pahalgam terror attack has been one of the darkest days in the entire country. Blood was spilled in Kashmir. It created tremors in the entire nation. We saw the pain of the victims,” Kalyan said with measured gravity.
In choosing English, Kalyan signaled that his words were meant not only for the local Telugu-speaking population but also for a broader national and even international audience. It was a move that mirrored PM Modi’s own use of English during his rally in Bihar following the same attack, reinforcing a unified and globally intelligible condemnation of terrorism.
More importantly, Kalyan used this moment to underline his loyalty to the Prime Minister. “PM Modi is leading the country through tough times. He has assured stern action against perpetrators of terrorism. It is a very sensitive time. But still, PM Modi came to Amaravati. This shows his deep commitment to Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
The Janasena chief, who has openly admired Modi in the past and referred to him as a role model, appeared to be consciously positioning himself as a national voice, not just a regional leader. His calibrated English remarks were seen as a signal of political maturity, aligning regional aspirations with national sentiments on security and leadership.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who spoke after Kalyan, echoed the sentiment. In a display of unity, Naidu declared, “We are with you, PM Modi. The five crore people of Andhra Pradesh are with you, the entire country is with you.”
PM Modi, who concluded the event by inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for developmental projects worth ₹58,000 crore—including the revival of Amaravati—was visibly moved by the show of support. These included infrastructure, digital connectivity, and urban development initiatives, marking a renewed federal commitment to Andhra Pradesh.
In retrospect, Kalyan’s switch to English may be seen as more than a rhetorical flourish. It was a subtle but effective maneuver to elevate his political stature, endorse the Centre’s narrative on national security, and showcase Andhra Pradesh’s alignment with national priorities. At a time when regional leaders are often scrutinized for their stance on contentious national issues, Pawan Kalyan made it clear that he intends to play on a wider stage.
