JP Nadda accuses Congress of creating North-South divide over Telangana funds
On Thursday, Union Health Minister JP Nadda addressed an intellectuals' meet in Hyderabad, accusing the Congress party and Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of fueling a politically motivated North-South divide. Nadda refuted allegations that the Centre was shortchanging the southern state, asserting that the BJP-led NDA government has provided substantial financial and developmental support to Telangana.
Nadda claimed that Telangana has received over Rs 2 lakh crore through tax devolution and other central assistance. Taking a swipe at the Chief Minister, Nadda remarked that Revanth Reddy's 'mathematics is weak' when it comes to assessing the Centre's contributions to the state. He accused the Congress of repeatedly pushing the same narrative for electoral gains, noting that similar allegations were being made by Congress governments in other states like Himachal Pradesh.
Listing the NDA government's infrastructure contributions to Telangana, Nadda highlighted the expansion of the state's national highway network to more than 2,500 km, the sanctioning of multiple power projects, and the establishment of AIIMS Bibinagar. He also noted Hyderabad's emergence as a major semiconductor hub. According to Nadda, these infrastructure developments will improve connectivity and enable residents from different parts of the state to reach Hyderabad within four hours.
Nadda further targeted the state government on political and administrative fronts. He accused successive state governments of failing to effectively implement the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, thereby depriving eligible beneficiaries of housing. He also alleged that Telangana has become an 'ATM' for the Congress party's central leadership in Delhi, referencing an earlier statement where Revanth Reddy reportedly remarked that Telangana could send Rs 1,000 crore annually to the Congress high command.
During his visit, Nadda also reviewed the progress of AIIMS Bibinagar alongside Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, and MPs DK Aruna and K Laxman. He stated that the Centre is committed to developing the institute into a centre of excellence, noting that 87 percent of the Rs 1,000 crore project is already complete, with 24 departments currently functioning and two batches of MBBS students studying there.
