Pawan Kalyan’s meeting denied permission over law and order issues: Revanth Reddy

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan was free to visit Telangana, contest elections here and hold political activities.

Responding to criticism over the denial of permission for a public meeting on Telangana Formation Day, he clarified that the decision was taken purely on law-and-order grounds. “If intelligence and security agencies raise concerns about maintaining law and order, the government has to act responsibly,” he said.

In an informal chat with the media in New Delhi, the Chief Minister reminded that the A.P. government too denied permission to tours or public meetings of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on multiple occasions, citing law and order situation.

Repeating his attack on Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, he asked him to disclose the amount of funds the Centre had allocated to Telangana since the Congress government came to power in the State. He alleged that Mr. Kishan Reddy had personally discouraged Union ministries from releasing funds to Telangana and claimed that several Central ministers had privately conveyed this to him.

“Why are funds not being released for the IRFC projects? Why is there no financial support for the Regional Ring Road? As a Union Cabinet Minister representing Telangana, why is Mr. Kishan Reddy not raising these issues forcefully?” he asked, adding it was due to BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao’s directions.

The Chief Minister also questioned the BJP over the delay in resolving Telangana’s request to Maharashtra for around 1,500 acres of land for irrigation projects here. “The BJP is in power both in Maharashtra and at the Centre. If they are serious about Telangana’s interests, why are they unable to resolve this issue?” he asked.

The Chief Minister alleged that internal political rivalries within the BJP were delaying key infrastructure projects in Telangana. He claimed that the proposed Metro Rail expansion in Malkajgiri, represented by BJP MP Eatala Rajender, was being obstructed because some BJP leaders were unwilling to see Congress government get credit for the project.

“Projects are being blocked because some leaders are more concerned about political credit than public welfare,” he remarked. “If Mr. Kishan Reddy was unable to secure Telangana’s interests, he should consider resigning and allow someone else to take up the responsibility,” he said.

He revealed that discussions with the Maharashtra Chief Minister on the matter were expected to take place in July.