Suddenly, footwear has become a political tool in Telugu states. Key politicians, seeking attention and media coverage, appear to be using footwear to get into the news. First it was Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, who showed his chappals to those questioning his political sincerity. Now, it is Kavitha Kalwakuntla, who has shown chappals in Telangana.
The other day, Kavitha Kalwakuntla said she would slap those who criticize her with chappals. Implicitly referring to Nizamabad’s firebrand MP Dharmapuri Aravind, she said she would hit with chappals those who criticize her. She said she would contest anywhere that Aravind contests and defeat him.
At the same time, a belligerent Pawan Kalyan has shown his chappals in a public meeting and threatened to attack his detractors with them. If Pawan’s comments were a new low in Telugu politics, the comments of Kavitha Kalwakuntla have shown that political discourse has touched a nadir.
Political analysts and observers say that similar footwearshow is going to become more popular as the election fever is picking pace. They argue that the penchant for grabbing media headlines is making the politicians cross the Lakshman Rekha of decent political discourse in both the Telugu states.