Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan announced that he would not accept his salary or any special allowances, including for the purchase of furnitures for his new office, on Monday.
During a welfare pension disbursal program, Kalyan revealed that officials at his camp office had recently approached him regarding the renovation and furnishing of his office. He declined these privileges, instructing them to forego any expenditures.
"They asked what to do about the camp office (renovation) and repairs. I told them not to do anything and leave it alone. I told them not to buy any new furniture, and I will bring it on my own if it is needed," Kalyan stated, according to a report on PTI.
Kalyan, who also serves as the Panchayat Raj Minister, mentioned that officials from the Secretariat approached him to sign documents pertaining to his salary of Rs 35,000 for attending the legislative session for three days. He refused to accept the payment, citing the Panchayat Raj Department's insufficient funds as a key reason behind his decision.
This development comes as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has leveled serious allegations against former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy accusing him of constructing a luxurious hilltop 'Rushikonda palace' worth Rs 500 crore in Vishakhapatnam despite Andhra Pradesh's dire financial situation, including a debt of Rs 12 lakh crore.
Earlier this month, on June 11, Jana Sena Party MLAs elected Kalyan as the floor leader in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. Not only did Kalyan secure his maiden electoral victory, but his party also emerged as a significant political force by winning all 21 Assembly seats and both Lok Sabha seats it contested.
Pawan Kalyan contested the elections in an alliance with TDP and BJP.