Telangana CM alleges political bias in US visit denial

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy accused the central government of denying him political clearance for a planned investment and academic tour of the United States due to political reasons, in a controversy that has sparked a debate about federal fairness and state development priorities. Reddy stated that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected his proposed US visit last week, even though the United Kingdom leg of the same trip was approved. He returned to Hyderabad from London on August 23 after the US portion was cancelled.

At a press conference in Hyderabad on Monday, August 24, Reddy alleged that the denial was because he belongs to the Congress party and represents Telangana. He contrasted his situation with that of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who he said was permitted to conduct investment roadshows in the United States and Canada under the Vibrant Gujarat banner. "I want to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi why permission was granted for England but denied for the US if there was no political basis for the decision?" Reddy stated. He claimed the action was an "insult to the self-respect of Telangana" and would discourage investment in the state.