Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy accused the Centre of Telangana discrimination after the Ministry of External Affairs denied permission for his proposed official visit to the United States.
Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat, Revanth Reddy questioned why his UK visit received clearance while the US leg was rejected. He alleged that political considerations influenced the Centre’s decision.
The Chief Minister said his government had planned the foreign tour around education, sports and investment opportunities. He maintained that the State had submitted complete details of the proposed programme to the Ministry of External Affairs.
According to Revanth Reddy, the ministry approved his visit to the United Kingdom but denied permission for the United States.
He said criticism of that decision had emerged from different quarters. However, he alleged that BJP leaders subsequently made personal accusations against him and issued false statements about the official tour.
Telangana discrimination alleged over political grounds
Revanth Reddy said he did not want to treat the dispute merely as a political confrontation with the BJP. Instead, he described it as an issue between the State and Central governments. He said the Centre represented a union of states and argued that this principle reflected India’s democratic and federal spirit.
The Chief Minister claimed officials informed his government that the US visit had been rejected for political reasons. Therefore, he asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to disclose those reasons. Revanth Reddy contrasted his case with permission granted to the Gujarat Chief Minister.
He said the Gujarat Chief Minister received clearance for a US and Canada tour scheduled from August 17 to 28. According to him, that visit was intended to attract investments under the Vibrant Gujarat initiative.
However, Revanth Reddy said his proposed US visit under Telangana Rising 2047 did not receive similar clearance.
“If there was genuinely no substance in my foreign tour, why was permission given for England and denied for America?” he asked. The Chief Minister alleged that this difference demonstrated Telangana discrimination by the Centre.
Education, sports and investment were tour priorities
Revanth Reddy said his government had prepared an action plan to advance Telangana’s development through international engagement. He referred to Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar having studied in England before emerging as major national figures.
The Chief Minister said economically disadvantaged students often lacked opportunities to pursue education abroad. Therefore, his government wanted to bring international educational opportunities and expertise closer to Telangana.
He said the government had similar ambitions in sports. International visits could help Telangana attract expertise and investment in education and sports, he added. Revanth Reddy maintained that the proposed overseas engagements formed part of that wider development strategy.
He also rejected claims that his government had failed to provide adequate information about the trip. The Chief Minister said it was an official visit and that the programmes were to take place under the supervision of Indian diplomatic missions.
“This is not something being done secretly,” he said, adding that all relevant information had been supplied to the External Affairs Ministry.
Revanth accuses Modi of favouring Gujarat
Revanth Reddy accused Prime Minister Modi of continuing to act with a Gujarat-centric approach rather than treating states equally. He alleged that the Centre blocked his trip because Telangana’s development could create competition for Gujarat.
The Chief Minister described the decision as political discrimination and an attempt to obstruct Telangana’s development. He said the denial should not be viewed as a personal insult to Revanth Reddy. Instead, he described it as an injustice to Telangana’s four crore people.
According to him, political parties should condemn the decision regardless of their affiliations. Revanth Reddy said preventing a Telangana Chief Minister from pursuing an official development-related tour amounted to opposing the State’s progress.
He claimed the Centre’s approach showed clear Telangana discrimination and violated the federal spirit. The Chief Minister said Telangana MPs would raise the issue in Parliament.
Telangana Global Summit planned for December
Despite the denial of permission, Revanth Reddy said his government would continue pursuing its development objectives. “You may stop my visit, but you cannot stop me from reaching my goal,” he said.
The Chief Minister announced that the Telangana Global Summit 2026 would be held on December 8 and 9 under the Invest Telangana initiative. He said the summit would invite investments, including in the education and sports sectors.
Revanth Reddy maintained that Telangana would continue seeking global investment and expertise despite the dispute over his proposed US visit. He reiterated that the State government had provided the Centre with complete information about the foreign programme.
The Chief Minister accused the Centre of adopting a discriminatory approach towards Telangana and alleged that Gujarat-oriented political leadership was trying to obstruct the State’s development.