CM Revanth slams Centre for 'discriminatory' budget

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy lambasted the NDA government at the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ignoring the needs of Telangana in the Union Budget.

Addressing a press conference at his residence here on Tuesday, Reddy accused the NDA government and Modi of blatant discrimination against Telangana, of which there was no single mention in the Budget.

Calling it a ‘kursi bachao Budget’ aimed at appeasing NDA partners like the TD in AP and JD(U) in Bihar, Reddy came up with a new equation. He said that NDA was an abbreviation for ‘Naidu-Nitish Dependent Alliance’.

The Chief Minister wondered whether the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, was applicable only to Andhra Pradesh.

"They sanctioned `15,000 crore for Andhra Pradesh capital Amaravati and funds for Polavaram project citing the provisions of AP Reorganisation Act. But the same Act promises the Bayyaram steel plant and railway coach factory at Kazipet in Telangana. They simply ignored Telangana. Why did they ignore sanctioning funds for development of Hyderabad, Musi riverfront development, Metro Rail expansion and pharma clusters," he asked.

Revanth Reddy clarified that he was not questioning sanction of funds and projects for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar but was only asking why they had denied the legitimate rights as promised to Telangana in the AP Reorganisation Act.

The Chief Minister called for the resignation of Union coal minister G. Kishan Reddy over what he termed as ‘injustice’ done to Telangana. He argued that the Centre's neglect of the state's development needs was unacceptable and demanded accountability.

Reddy recalled that upon assuming office, he had extended a warm welcome to Modi, even referring to him as 'bade bhai' in a bid to foster cordial relations with the Centre. Despite this, the state government's numerous requests for funds for various development projects were ignored.

Highlighting the frustration of the state, Reddy announced that the eight Congress Lok Sabha members from Telangana would stage a protest against the "raw deal" given to the state in the budget session of Parliament.

He also appealed to BJP and AIMIM Lok Sabha members from Telangana to join the agitation for a fair share to the state. He said that the issue would be debated in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, with plans to pass a resolution condemning Centre's actions.

The Chief Minister pointed out that Modi had previously criticised the process of Telangana's formation, but the people of the state did not anticipate the extent of his "bias." Reddy accused the Modi government of not just discriminating against opposition-ruled states, but of harbouring a particular bias against Telangana.

"This is not a budget for the progress of the country; it is a 'save Modi government' budget," Reddy said.

Revanth Reddy said that people of Telangana did not show any discrimination and actually sent eight BJP members to the Lok Sabha whereas Modi had discriminated against Telangana by not allotting any funds or projects.

"It is an act of vengeance by Modi," Reddy fumed.