HYDERABAD: After a tête-a-tête with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Saturday, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy sought to dispel rumours of a rift between them, affirming that there is “no gap” as is being made out.
The much-anticipated conversation, which came after months of speculation on the relationship between Revanth and Rahul, saw the CM categorically dismissing any notion of discord, labelling such reports mere “speculation”.
Speaking to reporters during an informal interaction, he emphasised that his work was in direct alignment with the goals and guidance of Rahul.
“I am working under the guidance of Rahul Gandhi,” the chief minister stated.
He further elaborated on his commitment to advancing Rahul’s agenda in the state, specifically citing the ongoing caste census as their shared political vision.
He also said that the state Assembly will pass a bill in the ensuing Budget session providing 42 percent reservations to BCs, and send it to Parliament.
The meeting between the two leaders lasted for around three hours, during which the CM briefed Rahul on the progress of the socio-economic, educational, employment, political, and caste survey currently underway in Telangana. He also invited Rahul to a public event celebrating the success of the caste census.
Revanth is understood to have been given the responsibility of coordinating with chief ministers of parties that are part of the INDIA bloc to garner support for Congress’s demand for conducting caste enumeration along with Census 2025.
I didn’t show disrespect to Modi, says Revanth
“The caste census in the state is a roadmap to the nation” he said, while adding that the caste survey was conducted purely for public welfare purposes and certainly not with an objective of political gain. He accused the opposition parties of unnecessarily making it an issue by provoking people.
Responding to the criticism of BJP leaders, he said that he had not disrespected the Prime Minister’s chair or Narendra Modi individually. “I have not made any remarks personally against him, and neither have I shown disrespect to him. I only stated a fact that Modi is not a BC by birth. There could be a difference in dates, but the fact remains the same. There is no dispute about it, as BJP leaders are also endorsing it,” Revanth Reddy said.
Reacting to a question about the impending Supreme Court decision on the defection of BRS MLAs to the Congress camp, he said: “We will abide by the apex court’s decision.” He, however, said that BRS working president KT Rama Rao was making different statements even before the court’s judgment came out. He reminded KTR that Sabitha Indra Reddy and Talasani Srinivas Yadav were made cabinet ministers in the BRS government despite them being elected from different parties.