HYDERABAD: The Lok Sabha witnessed a heated exchange on Wednesday between Congress MPs from Telangana and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy over the alleged failure of the NDA government to implement promises under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act (APRA).
The exchange saw sharp accusations and interruptions punctuating the debate on the APRA (Amendment) Bill which seeks to declare Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh. Congress members used the occasion to press the Union government on the long list of unfulfilled commitments to Telangana.
Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy led the charge, reeling off pending assurances — from the establishment of an NIT and an IIM to a steel plant at Bayyaram, support for an industrial corridor, assistance for backward regions, and national project status for the Palamuru–Ranga Reddy project. He also called for funds for the Hyderabad Regional Ring Road and airports at Kothagudem and Adilabad.
Turning to the political undertone of the debate, he pushed back against the narrative around bifurcation. “It is not a black day, but a great day for the development of both states,” he said, urging Andhra Pradesh leaders to shed the sentiment.
Gaddam Vamsi Krishna sharpened the attack, accusing the Union government of “doing injustice” to Telangana. He flagged the Banakacherla project, warning that its construction could render north Telangana drought-prone. Drawing comparisons, he said Telangana was left with “only one airport” while Andhra Pradesh had eight, and alleged that railway allocations ran into thousands of crores for Andhra Pradesh while Telangana received only marginal projects. He also demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government clear power-related arrears of Rs 20,000 crore owed to Telangana.
Mallu Ravi echoed the concerns, pressing for the establishment of an IIM and a steel factory in the state. He alleged that repeated representations by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to the Union Civil Aviation Minister had failed to secure approvals for new airports.
The tenor of the debate escalated when Union Minister G Kishan Reddy hit back, accusing Congress leaders of collecting “RR tax” and “looting” Telangana — remarks that triggered protests from the Opposition benches. He countered that both Telugu states had been neglected under previous Congress governments and that development had gathered pace only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office. He also blamed the previous BRS government in Telangana for failing to advance the state’s development.
“While Andhra Pradesh has eight airports, Telangana has only one. Who is responsible?” Kishan shot back, questioning the Opposition’s claims. “Previous Congress governments failed to establish airports in Telangana. Even after the formation of Telangana, the then BRS government did not allocate land for airports in Kothagudem, Warangal and Adilabad despite requests,” he charged.
Defending the Centre’s record, he said it was extending full support to development in both states. “The Centre is supporting development works in Telangana, including railways and national highways. Modernisation of 42 railway stations is being undertaken simultaneously, and national highways have expanded from about 2,500 km earlier to nearly 3,000 km more in the last decade,” he said.
Even as the exchanges remained sharp, the minister struck a conciliatory note on AP, congratulating its people on Amaravati being designated the capital.