Unusual bonhomie between PM Modi and Revanth Reddy; Telangana CM hails ‘Gujarat model’

In a departure from usual isolation, #Telangana CM @revanth_anumula referred to PM @narendramodi as "peddanna" (big brother) during the later's visit to Adilabad to launch development projects.

Seeking the PM's support for the state's development, #RevanthReddy spoke about the… pic.twitter.com/fmhnUWwJO5

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) March 4, 2024

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Revanth Reddy switches strategy

Historically, in Telangana, the dynamics were different. Former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, after his relations with BJP turned sour a few years ago, distanced himself from Modi. He would publicly criticise him and avoid events where the Prime Minister was present. He did not attend the installation of the Statue of Equality of the 11th-century philosopher Ramanuja in Muchintal near Hyderabad in February 2022.

Contrastingly, Revanth Reddy, since assuming office, declared a conciliatory stance towards the Union government, going against his party’s tradition of maintaining distance from the BJP.

Reddy’s proactive approach included meetings with the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and various central ministers, urging them to address long-pending issues in Telangana.

At the Adilabad event, when Revanth Reddy spoke in Telugu, English, and Hindi — for Modi’s benefit — about the importance of amicable relations between the Union government and state government, Modi seemed taken aback. It was unconventional for a Congress Chief Minister to advocate for cooperation rather than confrontation.

రాజకీయంలో రాజీ లేదు…
రాష్ట్ర ప్రయోజనాల విషయంలో భేషజం లేదు. #TelanganaPrajaPrabhutwam pic.twitter.com/w4zwalehG6

— Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) March 4, 2024

Also Read: Telangana govt to roll out Indiramma housing scheme for poor on 11 March

CM asks for central support

Referring to Modi as “peddanna” (big brother), Revanth Reddy sought support for the state’s development. “Only if there is support from big brother can CMs work towards developing their state. I request your support for Telangana’s development just like Gujarat has developed,” he said.

In his address, Revanth Reddy emphasised the impracticality of constant confrontation with the Union government, suggesting that politics should take a back seat during normal days for the state’s best interests. “At the time of elections, one can indulge in politics but not during normal days, when the interests of the state should be uppermost in one’s mind,” he said.

He assured the Prime Minister of the state’s — particularly Hyderabad’s — commitment to contributing to the vision of a $5 trillion Indian economy and requested funding for the Musi River Front Project.

He profusely thanked Modi for transferring defence lands in Secunderabad to the state government for road development. He also reminded Modi that as per the provisions of he AP State Reorganistion Act, 2014, the capacity of the NTPC should be 4,000 mW and that the state would extend full cooperation to the NTPC to augment its power generation capacity, going forward.

Opposition BJP in Karnataka takes notice

Taking notice of Revanth Reddy’s refreshing attitude towards the Union government and its leader, R Ashoka, Karnataka’s Leader of Opposition, praised the Telangana Chief Minister.

In a post on X, he further indicated that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had a lot to learn from their Telangana counterpart on how a state government should put people’s interest above petty party politics.

This is how a responsible and statesmanlike Chief Minister of a state is expected to conduct with the Prime Minister of the country in a federal system.

CM @siddaramaiah avare and DCM @DKShivakumar avare, please learn from your younger colleague in Telangana on how to put the… pic.twitter.com/xs12o6yuFn

— R. Ashoka (ಮೋದಿ ಅವರ ಕುಟುಂಬ) (@RAshokaBJP) March 4, 2024