RS Praveen Kumar asks Revanth Reddy to come clean on foreign tour

BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of hiding details of his proposed US tour, questioning its purpose, timing, and use of public funds. He alleged the trip was linked to private interests and Congress programmes.

Hyderabad: BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar challenged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to come clean on his proposed US tour and make public its complete itinerary, meetings and purpose. He said the Chief Minister failed to disclose the details at his recent media interaction and instead sought to divert attention by invoking Telangana’s self-respect.

“After 30 months, Revanth Reddy has suddenly remembered Telangana’s self-respect,” Praveen Kumar said, questioning why the issue was not raised when Godavari River waters were flowing towards Andhra Pradesh or when officials from Andhra Pradesh were appointed to key positions in Telangana. He also questioned the Chief Minister’s silence over remarks by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya against Telangana.

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Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Tuesday, Praveen Kumar questioned the procedure followed for the Chief Minister’s foreign travel. He said Chief Ministers, Ministers and officials travelling abroad were required to follow prescribed procedures. However, he alleged that Revanth Reddy had informed the External Affairs Ministry only five days before the proposed tour. He demanded that all documents and details related to the visit be made public.

He rejected comparisons between Revanth Reddy’s foreign tour and overseas visits by BRS leaders KT Rama Rao and T Harish Rao, who travelled in their individual capacities.

Taking a dig at Revanth Reddy’s claim that he planned to visit universities in the US and UK to improve educational opportunities for backward classes, Dalits and tribals, Praveen Kumar questioned the timing of the proposed meetings. He pointed out that universities there were on summer vacation and asked whom the Chief Minister planned to meet.

“Why go abroad when Osmania University needs attention?” he asked, recalling Revanth Reddy’s announcement of Rs 1,000 crore for the university and seeking details of funds released.

Praveen Kumar suspected that the tour was aimed at promoting the proposed Future City and claimed that the Chief Minister’s family had interests in land there. He also questioned the use of public money for the tour and alleged plans to participate in Congress programmes in the US.

He said Revanth Reddy’s invocation of Telangana’s self-respect was inconsistent with his actions, including changes to the Telangana Talli statue. If the Chief Minister genuinely believed Telangana’s self-respect had been compromised, he should take moral responsibility and resign, Praveen Kumar said.

He also accused Revanth Reddy of protecting the sons of BJP and Jana Sena MPs despite their alleged wrongdoing. He asked him to stop making political statements and disclose the facts surrounding his foreign tour.