Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy Holds Strategic Meeting with Congress President in Delhi
Hyderabad: In a significant political development, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy traveled to the national capital on Wednesday for a crucial meeting with All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge. The meeting, held at Kharge's residence, focused on strengthening the Congress party's position ahead of upcoming municipal elections and securing central government support for vital state infrastructure projects.
Confidence in Municipal Election Success
During their discussion, Chief Minister Reddy expressed strong confidence that the Congress party would emerge victorious in the ongoing municipal elections across Telangana. He emphasized that this momentum would continue through the forthcoming polls for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and two additional urban corporations in the state's core metropolitan areas. This meeting marked Reddy's first interaction with top Congress leadership since his recent international engagements in Davos and the United States, during which he had been intensely focused on municipal election campaigning.
Dual Purpose of Delhi Visit
Sources familiar with the visit revealed that Reddy's trip to Delhi served two primary objectives. First, he needed to brief the national party leadership about the current political landscape in Telangana after a considerable gap since their last detailed interaction. Second, and equally important, was his mission to meet with Union ministers to seek clarity on approvals and central funding for major state initiatives.
A senior AICC leader explained that with the Telangana government preparing to present its annual budget shortly, understanding the extent of central assistance would enable more accurate financial planning and resource allocation. The chief minister was accompanied by MPs Mallu Ravi and Anil Kumar Yadav during his meeting with Kharge, demonstrating coordinated political strategy.
Key Projects Requiring Central Support
Chief Minister Reddy's agenda with Union ministers includes several critical infrastructure and development projects that require central government cooperation:
- Hyderabad Metro Rail expansion to improve urban connectivity
- Musi River rejuvenation for environmental restoration
- Proper devolution of funds as per federal arrangements
- Resolution of fertilizer allocation issues affecting agriculture
- Advancement of key irrigation projects for water security
- Settlement of inter-state disputes with Andhra Pradesh concerning river waters and railway lines
The Chief Minister's Office has formally requested appointments with Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Fertilizers Minister JP Nadda, and Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to address these matters directly.
Upcoming Meetings with Congress Leadership
Political sources indicate that Chief Minister Reddy is scheduled to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Parliament on Thursday. During this anticipated meeting, Reddy plans to provide a comprehensive briefing on several strategic matters:
- Efforts to counter the potential revival of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Telangana
- Strategies to contain the growing influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state
- Detailed plans for the upcoming civic body elections across Telangana
Additionally, meetings with Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are also being considered as part of this comprehensive political consultation visit. These interactions underscore the importance the Congress party places on maintaining its electoral advantage in Telangana while addressing governance challenges through cooperative federalism.
