Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday highlighted the growing trend of defections in politics, attributing it to a lack of ideology and the diminishing role of student politics.
Addressing the gathering at the release of former Maharashtra governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao’s autobiography ‘Unika', he underlined the significance of fostering ideological commitment among student leaders to ensure loyalty and integrity in political organisations.
“Switching parties for the sake of posts and positions is a worrisome trend,” he said, while stressing the need for ideological grounding in student politics. Reddy praised Vidyasagar Rao for his unwavering adherence to ideology during his student days at Osmania University and all through his five-decade career in politics. The CM also called Vidyasagar Rao, also a former Union minister, as a role model for Telangana society and hailed his spotless political career.
The Chief Minister expressed concern over the declining standards of universities in Telangana during the BRS regime, which, he said, were at a risk of losing their significance.
“Universities were once the cradle of political movements, including the Telangana movement, but their current state is disheartening,” he remarked.
Revanth Reddy reiterated his government’s commitment to restoring the glory of the state’s educational institutions, stressing the pivotal role of student activism in achieving statehood. He called for greater student engagement in university politics, highlighting its importance in shaping the future leaders.
Shifting focus to Telangana’s development, Revanth Reddy urged Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar and leaders of the BJP and the BRS to support the expansion of Hyderabad Metro. He pointed out that Hyderabad’s Metro network, once the second-longest in the country, now ranks ninth.
“Hyderabad is competing not with Amaravati but with global cities,” he declared, stressing the importance of infrastructure projects like the ORR and RRR. He also called on the Centre to approve a dry port for Telangana and expedite the completion of the railway coach factory at Kazipet.
Vidyasagar Rao commended Revanth Reddy for his innovative initiatives, such as HYDRAA, to save lakes and natural water bodies. He also highlighted the CM’s focus on creating a skills university, calling it a model for the entire country.
“Opposition parties may not openly praise you due to political compulsions but the people recognise your good work,” he said.
Haryana governor Bandaru Dattatreya praised Rao for his decades of dedication to strengthening ABVP and BJP in Telangana. He also lauded Rao’s efforts in advocating for the importance of Godavari river for Telangana’s development.
Dattatreya applauded the CM’s willingness to share the stage with leaders of opposing ideologies, calling him a “brave leader” committed to development and welfare.
In response, Revanth Reddy said, “Let politics take centre stage during elections. For now, my sole focus is on development, welfare, and governance,” he said.
CM releases Ch. Vidyasagar Rao's autobiography 'Unika'
