Cyberabad has become a major employment hub: Modi
HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a light-hearted yet politically loaded remark to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday, saying “aap mere se judo” (It is better that you join me), triggering a buzz in the political circles.
It came about when Revanth Reddy, during an event here, requested the Prime Minister to support Telangana’s development with a “big heart”. He noted that then-prime minister Manmohan Singh had extended all kinds of support to Gujarat when Modi was Chief Minister, and sought similar support.
“The people of Telangana also want to develop our state with your help in the next 10 years and come up with the Telangana model. I believe that you will provide me with full support, just like Manmohan Singh did,” Revanth Reddy said.
During his address, Modi responded that if he were to provide Telangana with exactly the same amount of Central assistance that Gujarat received during that period, the state would actually lose half of the funding it was receiving under the NDA government.
“I will tell Revanth that I am ready to give you whatever the Union government gave to Gujarat during its 10 years of rule. But, based on my knowledge, I can tell you that as soon as I do so, what you are currently receiving will be close to half. You will not be able to reach where you want to.” Then, turning to Revanth Reddy, he said with a chuckle: “It is better that you join me.” Revanth Reddy responded with a laugh, and was joined by the audience.
Modi also explained that before 2014, the railway budget for undivided Andhra Pradesh was less than ₹1,000 crore. “Revanth, are you listening? During undivided Andhra Pradesh, the railway budget was less than ₹1,000 crore. Today, I’m not just talking about united Andhra, as Telangana’s railway budget alone is approximately ₹5,500 crore. Currently, rail projects worth approximately ₹50,000 crore are underway here. Five Vande Bharat and six Amrit Bharat trains are also operating in Telangana,” he said.
Despite the political banter, the Prime Minister assured that the Centre would vigorously support Telangana’s development, emphasizing, “If Telangana is developed, the country too would develop.”
