Hyderabad, Aug 22 (PTI) A day after the Centre denied permission to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s proposed US visit, the Congress and BJP sparred over the issue on Saturday.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka alleged that the decision appears to be political.
Terming the denial of permission unfortunate, he said the CM had planned to visit the US to bring some of the prestigious educational institutions to Telangana.
Highlighting that the state government has been focusing on improving education sector since it came to power, he said education alone can ensure a positive transformation in people’s lives.
“I see no valid reason for the Government of India to do so (deny permission). It is political, and it is not right. Telangana is also a part of this country. If Telangana grows, India grows,” Vikramarka told PTI Videos here.
Meanwhile, Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao said CM Reddy should answer the people over media reports that he had sought to meet New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani during his now-cancelled US visit.
“It is now emerging from media reports that Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s visit to the USA was not for education or investment purposes for Telangana, but to meet rabid anti-India spokespersons who are also the ideological gurus of LoP Rahul Gandhi,” Rao said in a post on ‘X’.
Referring to Reddy’s meetings with Professors Maya Tudor of the Blavatnik School of Government and Faisal Devji of Balliol College during his visit to Oxford University in London on August 21, the BJP leader alleged that the two professors had written “anti-India articles.” In the US, Reddy wanted to meet Zohran Mamdani, who is known for his “anti-India views”, he claimed.
“What business does Reddy have in meeting them? People are demanding answers,” Rao said.
Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy said it is not a political issue but a technical procedure.
“It should not be viewed through a political lens as it is handled purely at the official level within the Ministry of External Affairs…,” he told reporters.
Kishan Reddy said clearance was denied to him as well and also other CMs in the past.
Referring to CM Reddy leaving for the UK before his proposed visit to the US, Kishan Reddy said going all the way to London without proper clearance is completely wrong.
CM Reddy was denied political clearance for his planned trip to the US because the proposed programme for the visit was not “appropriate”, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.
The remarks came after Reddy’s office said the CM had been forced to cancel his visit to the US after the MEA declined permission for the travel.
During the planned US trip, Reddy was to visit the campuses of Harvard University, MIT and other institutions. PTI SJR SJR KH
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