Hyderabad: Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Tuesday rejected Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s allegation that the Centre discriminated against Telangana by denying political clearance for his proposed US visit.
Rao claimed the Centre’s decision on the Revanth Reddy US visit followed information about people and organisations the Chief Minister planned to meet. He alleged that some of them had caused trouble to India and its people.
The BJP leader also accused Revanth Reddy of failing to submit adequate information about his foreign tour. Rao issued the statement while observing the second day of his hunger strike in support of students’ cause.
He questioned whether the Chief Minister intended to travel abroad to meet what he described as “anti-national forces.” Rao also argued that governments had previously stopped foreign visits by Chief Ministers and other political leaders when required information was unavailable.
Revanth Reddy US visit denial not discriminatory: Rao
The BJP president said Revanth Reddy had previously travelled twice to the United States. He had also visited London and Singapore, Rao said. According to Rao, no one had stopped the Chief Minister from undertaking those earlier visits.
He questioned why the Centre would prevent the latest visit if it had allowed the previous trips. Rao also cited earlier instances involving proposed foreign visits by political leaders. He referred to Chandrababu Naidu, K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Mayawati, Tarun Gogoi and Arjun Munda.
He claimed their foreign travel proposals had also faced stoppages between 2010 and 2024. According to Rao, such action was taken when paperwork remained incomplete or adequate reasons for travel were not provided. He said problems also arose when authorities lacked clarity about proposed meetings.
Rao maintained that these decisions followed Ministry of External Affairs rules. He further claimed the government acted according to regulations when suspicions arose about meetings with what he termed anti-national elements.
Therefore, Rao described Revanth Reddy’s allegations against the Central government as unwarranted. He said blaming the Centre over the clearance issue was a serious mistake. Responding to comparisons involving Gujarat, Rao said Prime Minister Narendra Modi treated Gujarat and Telangana equally.
He said the Centre followed the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” while dealing with all states. Rao also claimed petrol prices in Gujarat were about Rs 15 lower than those in Telangana.
The BJP state president then credited the Modi-led Central government with several development initiatives in Telangana. He cited national highways, Warangal Airport, the Warangal Railway Coach Factory and AIIMS Bibinagar.
Rao also referred to railway station modernisation and Vande Bharat Express trains as examples of Central support. Moreover, he credited the Centre with the development of space technology and aerospace industries in Telangana.
Rao claimed Telangana’s present development had resulted from the Narendra Modi government’s initiatives. In contrast, he accused the state Congress government of focusing only on developing the real estate business.
Revanth Reddy US visit details must be disclosed: BJP
Rao accused the Chief Minister of failing to provide a proper tour plan before blaming the Central government. He demanded that Revanth Reddy disclose the identities of the individuals he intended to meet during the proposed trip.
The BJP leader also asked the Chief Minister to explain why he planned to meet them. Rao alleged that the Chief Minister had disrespected Telangana’s people by making accusations against the Centre without providing complete travel details.
He demanded that Revanth Reddy answer citizens about his proposed itinerary and meetings. The BJP president also sought an immediate apology from the Chief Minister to the people of Telangana and the country. He accused Revanth Reddy of misleading the public and making false allegations against the Central government.
Rao maintained that the Revanth Reddy US visit clearance issue arose from the information submitted for the proposed tour. He rejected the Chief Minister’s allegation that the decision reflected discrimination against Telangana.