Published Apr 07, 2026 | 11:42 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 07, 2026 | 11:42 AM
Revanth Reddy (L) and Pinarayi Vijayan. Credit: x.com/revanth_anumula, x.com/pinarayivijayan
Synopsis: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan have clashed over governance metrics, with Reddy accusing Vijayan of using outdated data to criticise Telangana’s progress. Vijayan dismissed the charge, insisting his critique was based on credible comparisons. The row escalated with Reddy alleging political motives, while Vijayan countered that inter-state comparisons are legitimate democratic discourse.
A fresh political row has erupted between Telangana and Kerala, with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy launching a sharp attack on his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing him of relying on “outdated and irrelevant data” to criticise Telangana’s governance model.
The war of words comes in the wake of an intensifying debate over development indicators, fiscal prudence, and welfare outcomes across states, with both leaders trading barbs over performance metrics and political alignments.
Revanth Reddy, responding to recent remarks by Vijayan on X, said on late Monday night that the Kerala CM was “misleading the public” by selectively quoting old statistics that do not reflect Telangana’s current progress.
“It is unfortunate that a senior leader like Pinarayi Vijayan is using obsolete data to criticise Telangana. Our state has moved far ahead on several fronts, and any fair comparison must be based on the latest figures,” he said.
The Telangana CM, trying to prove his point that Pinarayi Vijayan was using old data, said: “I quote your own tweet – By late 2025, Kerala is set to become the first state in the country to completely eradicate extreme poverty. We are now in April 2026. You are speaking of the past in the future tense. Did it happen? Or was it, like many LDF promises, still a work in progress?”
Revanth Reddy said that that Telangana has witnessed rapid improvements in sectors such as infrastructure, irrigation, IT investments, and social welfare delivery. According to him, several flagship programmes, initiated or revamped by the present government have yielded measurable outcomes in recent months, which, he argued, were conveniently ignored by Vijayan.
Reddy also underlined that his administration inherited structural challenges but has been working to stabilise finances while continuing welfare schemes. He maintained that a dynamic and evolving state like Telangana cannot be judged on the basis of “static or outdated snapshots of data.”
Revanth Reddy further alleged that Vijayan’s criticism was not merely academic but politically driven. He suggested that certain non-Congress parties were attempting to build a narrative against Congress-ruled states to weaken their credibility ahead of future electoral contests.
Recently, Revanth Reddy claimed there appeared to be a convergence of interests between Vijayan and BJP, stating that both were on the same side when it comes to attacking Congress. The comment triggered an immediate and sharp rebuttal from the Kerala CM.
Pinarayi had dismissed the allegation as “absurd and baseless,” asserting that there was no question of any alignment between his party and the BJP. “Such accusations are politically motivated and lack any factual basis. Left has consistently opposed BJP’s policies and ideology across the country,” Vijayan said.
He added that attempts to portray Left and BJP as being aligned were “deliberate distortions” aimed at confusing the public. Vijayan reiterated that his government’s critique of Telangana was rooted in publicly available data and comparative analysis, not partisan considerations.
Vijayan sought to turn the tables against Reddy, accusing him of making “defensive and diversionary statements” instead of addressing substantive issues. He suggested that Telangana should engage in a constructive dialogue on governance rather than resorting to personal or political attacks.
Pinarayi further pointed out that inter-state comparisons are a legitimate part of democratic discourse and should be welcomed if they are based on credible data. He maintained that his remarks were intended to highlight policy differences and encourage informed debate, not to target any particular government.
The wordy duels have drawn attention to the complex and often contradictory political alignments in different states. In Telangana, CPI(M), a constituent of LDF led by Vijayan in Kerala, is currently an ally of Congress government headed by Revanth Reddy.
