CM seeks cooperation of parties cutting across political lines in the development of the city

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has exhorted the opposition BJP and BRS leaders to cooperate with the government in accelerating a spree of works launched for developing the State Capital as a global city in the interests of the people.

“We can speak politics at the time of elections. I request the BJP and BRS leaders to join forces with the government cutting across political lines in developing the city since there are no elections now,” he said. The Chief Minister was particularly critical of Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy for allegedly ‘hobnobbing’ with BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao and creating obstacles in the approval of projects submitted to the Central government for its approval and assistance.

The Centre was yet to respond to several projects, including the expansion of Hyderabad Metro Rail, Musi rejuvenation and the regional ring road. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was playing hide and seek when the Telangana government tried to approach him. “He (Mr. Fadnavis) is said to be doing so at the behest of Mr. Kishan Reddy,” he charged.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a public meeting after laying the foundation stone for the construction of Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation office. He also initiated projects relating to the development of roads at the AOC centre. He said, “Why should Mr. Kishan Reddy not be questioned? Doesn’t he have the responsibility of getting approvals for projects proposed for the city?”

Mr. Revanth Reddy lamented that the Centre was not ready to procure 74 lakh metric tonne paddy purchased by the Telangana government from farmers. “The Centre is ready to purchase the entire produce from Punjab but is ready to take 50 lakh metric tonnes out of the 74 LMT produced in Telangana,” he said.

Musi rejuvenation project which was conceived to beautify the city and provide gainful employment to locals too was awaiting the Centre’s response. “Their (the BJP’s) governments showcase Sabarmati, Yamuna and Ganga rejuvenation works. But the Centre is reluctant to extend its assistance to Musi riverfront project,” he wondered.

He warned that the State government would wait for the Centre’s response till June 15 after which it had planned its course action against the Centre’s indifference in acting upon the State’s requests. The Chief Minister said there were no political considerations in dividing the GHMC into three separate corporations. The only intention behind the move was to decentralise administration.