Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Telangana on Monday, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, acknowledging the PM as an “elder brother” to the state, clarified his stance of not confronting the Centre and expressed his desire to maintain cordial relations.
While addressing the public at the launch of projects worth Rs 56,000 crore, Reddy appealed for PM Modi’s cooperation to propel Telangana’s development along the lines of Gujarat, PTI reported.
Also Read:‘Chaiwala’ moment of 2024? Why Lalu Yadav’s ‘family’ dig at Modi could backfire for Opposition
Reddy expressed that Telangana, home to the fifth-largest city in the country, Hyderabad, aims to play a role in achieving PM Modi’s ambitious target of making India a £5 trillion economy.
After a long time, a Chief Minister of Telangana received PM Modi and shared the dais with him during an official event. Notably, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) supremo and former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao had, on several occasions, skipped the PM’s official visits to the state in the past.
Also Read:‘Jhooth and loot’: PM Modi leads no-holds-barred attack against dynasty-based parties in Telangana
“Narendra Modi ji, according to us, Prime Minister means like our elder brother. If there is support from the elder brother, only then can chief ministers take forward development works in their respective states,” he remarked, PTI reported.
Asserting the need for Modi’s support in Telangana’s development, Reddy assured the state government’s cooperation in facilitating clearances and operations for NTPC to complete the 4,000 MW power plant, of which only 1,600 MW is currently operational.
“That is why my request is, if Telangana has to be developed on the lines of Gujarat, your support is essential here,” CM said.
He added that, according to the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act, the Centre is obligated to establish a 4,000 MW power plant in Telangana. However, due to the actions of the previous BRS government, only 1,600 MW has been completed in the last decade.
He said the people will ultimately lose when there is friction between the Centre and the states. Politics should be limited to elections only, and after the polls, the elected leaders should strive for the development of the state with the help of the Centre.
Reddy highlighted PM Modi’s positive response during their meeting to address clearance issues. Furthermore, he sought Modi’s cooperation in expanding the semiconductor industry in the state and advancing the development of the Musi River.