Day After Lalu's Jibe At PM, CM Revanth Reddy Calls PM Modi 'Big Brother', Stresses Telangana's Role For 5 Trillion Economy

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy's "elder brother" remark comes as the BJP has launched a 'Modi ka parivar' campaign in response to Lalu Prasad Yadav's comment criticising PM Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a slew of power, rail, and road projects in Telangana on Monday, amounting to over Rs 56,000 crore. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of the Congress party accompanied the Prime Minister during the inauguration and shared the stage with him. In his brief address, Prime Minister Modi emphasized India's economic growth. Meanwhile, Revanth Reddy likened the Prime Minister to a "big brother" and expressed the state's desire for his support in achieving progress similar to that of Gujarat, the Prime Minister's home state.

"Narendra Modi ji, according to us, Prime Minister means like our elder brother. If there is support from the elder brother, only then can chief ministers take forward development works in their respective states," stated CM Revanth Reddy during the foundation-laying and inauguration ceremony, as quoted by news agency PTI.

 The "elder brother" remark comes as the BJP has launched a 'Modi ka parivar' campaign in response to former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav's comment on Sunday criticising the Prime Minister for not raising a family. 

"That is why my request is, if Telangana has to be developed on the lines of Gujarat, your support is essential here, the Congress chief minister said.  Reddy said the state government will extend necessary operation and give necessary clearances to NTPC for completing the 4,000 MW power plant of which only 1,600 MW became operational," the Chief Minister said.

In a video shared by news agency IANS, he can be heard saying, "Hyderabad is one of the metropolitan cities, and we want to contribute to your 5 trillion economy system. So please do support us in the Metro Rail and Musi River development because you have developed the Sabarmati River... All I need."

Reddy also highlighted the state's plans to establish semiconductor industries and requested support from the government. "Recently, we have seen the Government of India announce encouragement, subsidy, and incentives. Hyderabad is the place for a semiconductor unit; please support us as we are there to contribute to a 5 trillion economy."

According to PTI, CM Reddy cited the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act and mentioned that the Centre has to set up a 4,000 MW power plant in Telangana. "However, due to the acts of the previous BRS government, only 1,600 MW was completed in the last 10 years," he remarked.  

He stressed that the people will ultimately lose in a friction between the Centre and the states. "Politics should be limited to elections only and after the polls the elected leaders should strive for the development of the state with the help of the Centre," the Telangana Chief Minister opined.

Modi's Infrastructure Push In Telangana

Among the inaugurated projects, the Prime Minister virtually opened NTPC's 800 MW Unit-2 of the Telangana Super Thermal Power Project in Peddapalli. He also inaugurated the 660 MW Unit-2 of the North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Project in Jharkhand, among others.

Additionally, he laid the foundation stone for various projects across states, including Singrauli Super Thermal Power Project Stage-III in Uttar Pradesh and Flue Gas CO2 to 4G Ethanol Plant in Chhattisgarh.

Moreover, Modi inaugurated several solar power projects, including NHPC's 380 MW Solar Project in Rajasthan and Bundelkhand Saur Urja Limited’s 1200 MW Jalaun Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park in Uttar Pradesh.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated projects in the road and rail sectors, such as the electrified Ambari-Adilabad-Pimpalkhuti rail line and two major national highway projects connecting Telangana with Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.