‘Support Telangana as Manmohan supported Gujarat’: Revanth to Modi
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the same support to Telangana that former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had extended to Gujarat during Modi’s tenure as Gujarat chief minister.
Addressing a gathering at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre, where Modi inaugurated development projects worth ₹9,400 crore, Revanth said Telangana expected similar cooperation from the Centre to speed up its growth.
“Modi Ji, you developed the Gujarat Model with the support of Dr Manmohan Singh. Today, the people of Telangana seek that same spirit of cooperation,” Revanth said.
“We believe that, just as Dr Manmohan Singh supported Gujarat’s growth, you will now support Telangana and help us become a leading state in India,” he added.
Modi responds in lighter vein
Responding humorously during his speech, Modi said, “I would like to tell CM Revanth Reddy that whatever the Government of India gave Gujarat in 10 years, I am ready to give you too.”
“But based on my knowledge, if I do that, what you are getting now will become half. You will not reach where you want to go. So, it is better that you ally with me only,” he added.
The two leaders shared a cordial exchange on the stage.
Revanth again stressed the need for cooperative federalism. He also urged political parties to focus on national development after the elections in five states.
“Now that the elections in five states are over, let us concentrate on India’s development. India first, people second and party third,” he said.
Telangana’s economic vision
Highlighting Telangana’s economic ambitions, Revanth linked the state’s plans with the Centre’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
He said Telangana aimed to become a $1 trillion economy by 2034 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047.
“Telangana accounts for only 3 per cent of India’s population, but contributes 5 per cent to the national GDP. Telangana Rising is essential for India’s rise,” he said.
Push for faster project clearances
Revanth proposed a special single-window task force within the Prime Minister’s Office to speed up approvals for projects in six major cities — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
He said these cities drive India’s economic growth and need faster clearances for major infrastructure projects.
The chief minister also sought a dedicated two-hour review meeting with Modi to clear pending proposals related to the Musi Riverfront Development project, Hyderabad Metro Rail expansion, radial roads and the proposed 12-lane Hyderabad-Machilipatnam highway.
Drawing a comparison with Gujarat’s Sabarmati riverfront project, Revanth said Telangana expected Central support for the Musi riverfront transformation.
‘India first, people second’
Revanth said the state government’s priorities were national security and national development.
“It is India first, people second and party third,” he said.
He also said Modi had a “big heart” and expressed hope that the Centre would quickly approve Telangana’s pending proposals.
