Mangalagiri: The state government is in collusion with the central leadership in misleading the people of Andhra Pradesh with false promises about special status for the state, actor Pawan Kalyan said.

Participating in the 'satyagraha' organised by handloom weavers here on Monday, he said there is no consistency in the chief minister's statements prior to the elections and after he was elected. "Special status for Andhra Pradesh was one of the major poll promise of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu but he is using a different tone now on the same issue," he added.

Deploring the attitude of the state government towards handloom weavers, he said the state has failed miserably to protect the interests of the weavers. The onslaught of corporates and powerlooms in dealing a major blow to the weavers, he said and added that the weavers are skilled to provide employment to others but are ending up as daily wage workers. There is no concrete welfare measures or programmes undertaken by the Andhra Pradesh government to save to the handloom weavers, Pawan Kalyan added.

Calling on the people not to forget the traditional clothes of the Telugu states, he said people should patronise the hand woven clothes and encourage the weavers. Pawan Kalyan demanded that the weavers should be treated on par with artists and sportpersons and should be provided financial assistance.

Later, he announced that he is looking for young leaders to drive his party - Jana Sena. "The young leaders should be ready to make selfless service to the society," he added and reiterated his decision to contest the 2019 elections.