Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday accused the BJP-led NDA government of showing bias against southern states when it comes to distributing funds and developmental projects.
Speaking at the Southern Rising Summit 2024, Revanth questioned how India could achieve a five-trillion-dollar economy by focusing only on the development of Gujarat. He stressed that unless the concept of ‘Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka Vikas’—which means development for all—is properly implemented, India’s dream of becoming a five-trillion-dollar economy will remain distant.
The Chief Minister also criticized the BJP for focusing on emotional issues to win elections and for trying to divide other political parties. He referred to a past informal tradition where, if the Prime Minister was from the North, the President would be from the South. Revanth noted that leaders from the South, such as Neelam Sanjiva Reddy and APJ Abdul Kalam, had become Presidents based on this tradition, but he claimed this practice has been abandoned. “You want our votes and our money, but in return, you give us hatred,” he remarked.
Revanth further criticized the NDA government, contrasting its policies with those of the previous UPA regime led by Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. He praised the UPA for implementing progressive laws like the Right to Education, Right to Information, and the Food Security Act. In contrast, he said the NDA government contributed little beyond introducing the controversial farm laws—which were later repealed—and increasing unemployment.
The Chief Minister also alleged that Telangana and other southern states were not receiving their fair share of resources from the Centre, despite contributing significantly to the national economy. Discussing the delimitation of constituencies, he pointed out that southern states, including Telangana, had successfully implemented family planning policies, yet the central government has not acknowledged or rewarded these efforts.
Revanth accused Prime Minister Modi of favoring Gujarat, citing the development of the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad. He claimed that the BJP in Telangana is opposing similar projects, such as the Musi riverfront development in Hyderabad, because they don’t want southern states to compete with Gujarat.
Towards the end of his speech, Revanth also criticized BJP leaders in Telangana, including Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar. He accused them of regularly opposing the policies of the Telangana government, despite being part of the central government themselves.
