Telugu States' CMs confer with PM Modi days before their Hyderabad meeting

New Delhi: Two chief ministers from the Telugu states met prime minister Narendra Modi in separate meetings on Thursday. It might be a coincidence that both leaders met PM Modi, just two days before these two CMs are going to meet in Hyderabad.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met PM Modi on Thursday and sought the Union government’s support for crucial state development proposals. Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is a vital partner in the BJP-led NDA government, sought enhanced assistance for Andhra Pradesh if the special category status cannot be granted to the State.

The TDP chief, who is on a two-day visit to the national capital, also held talks with Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal on state-specific issues. Sources indicated that Naidu is scheduled to meet several other Union ministers, including Home minister Amit Shah, Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Health minister JP Nadda.

The Andhra Pradesh chief minister’s Delhi visit is seen as crucial for securing Central support for the state’s development following its bifurcation in 2014. During the meeting at the PMO, Naidu highlighted the unique challenges faced by Andhra Pradesh following its bifurcation in 2014. He emphasised the need for increased central support to accelerate the state’s growth trajectory, advocating for enhanced assistance in lieu of special category status.

On the state's fiscal situation, the chief minister said, "Andhra Pradesh continues to grapple with the repercussions of the unscientific, unfair, and unjust bifurcation of 2014." He added that the previous administration's "miserable governance marked by malice, corruption and mis-governance" had further deteriorated the state's economic condition.

Naidu requested short-term financial handholding from the Centre, citing "indiscriminate borrowing" and "large scale diversion of monies" by the previous government as reasons for the current resource scarcity.

Naidu seeks support for state's development agenda

1. The Polavaram Project, a national irrigation initiative crucial for Andhra’s agricultural sector.

2. Support for completing Amaravati’s government complex.

3. Special package for Andhra’s backward regions, drawing parallels with the Bundelkhand package.

4. Support for developing Duggirajupatnam port.

5. Discussions on national highway projects to agriculture and rural development.

6. Financial assistance to infrastructure development.

7. Enhanced assistance in lieu of special category status.

Revanth’s meeting with PM Modi

On the other side, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy called on PM Modi on Thursday and discussed various issues related to the state. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka accompanied Reddy during the meeting.

This was the first meeting between Modi and Reddy after the former was sworn in as the prime minister for a third straight term last month. The sources said the Telangana chief minister discussed key pending projects of the southern state with PM Modi.

Earlier in the day, Reddy met Union home minister Amit Shah and the two leaders deliberated on matters related to Telangana. While details of the discussions were not officially disclosed, it is understood that issues related to development projects and central assistance to the State were on the agenda.

Revanth Reddy has given representation on topics on:

1. Coal blocks supply to Singareni Collieries Company Ltd.

2. Sanctioning an India Institute of Management (IIM).

3. Re-implementation of the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) project.

4. Sanctioning Railway Coach Factory in Kazipet.

5. Facilitate Telangana in India Semiconductor Mission.

6. Release pending BRGF grants.

7. Sanction 25 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in the next five years.

8. Transfer land under Defence to Telangana, for the construction of the Elevated Corridor on Hyderabad-Karimnagar Highway, and Hyderabad Nagpur NH 44.

9. Sanction Steel Factory in Khammam.

10. Call tenders for Regional Ring Road.

11. Upgrade State Highways to National Highways.

12. Sanction 24 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas for the newly formed districts.

CMs to meet on July 6

Both chief ministers will have a face-to-face meeting at the Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule Bhavan in Hyderabad on July 6, to resolve pending issues of state bifurcation.

It was Naidu who proposed to meet Revanth Reddy and wrote a letter to him. Responding positively, Revanth Reddy said he is in complete agreement with the former’s reflections for a meeting between the two as chief ministers of the two Telugu states.

“It has been 10 years since the bifurcation of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. There have been multiple discussions concerning issues arising from the Reorganisation Act, which hold significant implications for the welfare and advancement of our states,” said Naidu in the letter.

“It is indeed an imperative need to resolve all pending issues of the Bifurcation Act. An in-person meeting is necessary to help us build a strong foundation for mutual cooperation, and exchange of ideas, and enable us to better serve our respective people,” the Telangana CM replied to Naidu.

Telangana came into existence on June 2, 2014, following the bifurcation of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Despite ten long years after separation, several issues such as the bifurcation of assets and power bill dues, are still unresolved between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Hyderabad ceased to be the common capital for both states from June 2 this year as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. The metropolis is now the capital city of only Telangana.

Both meet after many years

The chief ministers are meeting after many years, to raise expectations for resolving issues between the two states. After 2017 when Revanth Reddy switched loyalties, there were reportedly no official meetings between the two leaders.

It was under Naidu’s leadership as TDP supremo that Revanth first contested as an MLA in 2009 from the Kodangal constituency. He contested the 2014 undivided Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections and was elected to the Telangana Assembly from Kodangal. Remaining loyal to the party, he also served as the floor leader (TDP) in the Telangana Legislative Assembly.

In October 2017, TDP removed him as the floor leader of the Telangana TDP after reports surfaced that he would consider joining the Congress party. On October 31, 2017, he formally joined the Congress party.