Hyderabad, August 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday accused the Centre of political discrimination after he was denied permission to travel to the United States, describing the decision as an “insult” to the four crore people of Telangana.
Addressing a press conference after returning from the United Kingdom, Reddy alleged that the denial was obstructing Telangana’s efforts to attract investment and promote development. He termed the Centre’s decision “dictatorial” and said it undermined the principles of federalism.
Reddy was scheduled to travel from the UK to the US on August 23 for a week-long visit. He said the Ministry of External Affairs communication clearly stated that political clearance for the US visit had been denied.
“The political angle is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi belongs to the BJP and comes from Gujarat while I belong to the Congress party and I am from Telangana,” Reddy said.
The Chief Minister said his office had clearly outlined the purpose of the proposed UK and US visits while seeking clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs. The delegation was to explore collaborations with international universities and sports academies, invite investments and hold discussions with investors and strategic partners.
Reddy said Telangana was seeking to establish itself as a major sports and education hub and that the delegation intended to invite investors to the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2.0, scheduled in Hyderabad in December. He said the overseas outreach was part of the state’s Telangana Rising-2047 vision, aligned with the broader Viksit Bharat objective.
Questioning the Centre’s decision, Reddy said the objectives of his UK and US visits were identical and asked why permission had been granted for one country but denied for the other.
He alleged that the decision was linked to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s US and Canada visit from August 17 to 24 to attract investment under the Vibrant Gujarat 2047 initiative. Reddy claimed that while Patel received clearance for the investment-focused visit, his proposed US visit under Telangana Rising-2047 was blocked.
Reddy alleged that the Centre was concerned about Telangana attracting greater investment. He said the decision was not an insult to him personally but to the people of the state.
“You can stop me but not my goal for the development of Telangana,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the Congress would raise the issue in both Houses of Parliament and would not accept what he described as political discrimination against Telangana.
On reports that his proposed meeting with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani could have contributed to the denial, Reddy questioned the basis of such an objection, noting that Mamdani had been elected mayor by New York voters.
Reddy also criticised Prime Minister Modi over his foreign visits, questioning why he could travel to Pakistan while the Telangana Chief Minister could not visit the US for investment-related engagements.
He also criticised BJP leaders from Telangana for allegedly politicising the issue and urged the party’s eight Lok Sabha MPs from the state to speak up for Telangana’s interests.
FOLLOW NOW
