Telangana BJP Questions Revanth Reddy Over Proposed Meeting With Zohran Mamdani

HYDERABAD — Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Saturday supported the Ministry of External Affairs' decision to deny clearance for Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's proposed visit to the United States, alleging that the Chief Minister intended to meet "anti-India forces" linked to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's ideological mentors.

Speaking in Hyderabad, Rao claimed that Revanth Reddy had sought a meeting with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose past positions on India had sparked controversy. Rao questioned why this engagement was not disclosed in the Chief Minister's official itinerary and asked what business Revanth Reddy had in seeking such an interaction.

Rao recalled several controversies involving Mamdani, including his participation in a Pakistan Day celebration in New York and his role in a 2020 Times Square protest against the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan in Ayodhya. He also highlighted Mamdani's mobilisation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit in 2023, during which remarks on the Gujarat riots drew criticism.

The state BJP president noted that criticism of Mamdani was not confined to the BJP alone. Rao pointed to comments from senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who had previously stated, "When Zohran Mamdani opens his mouth, Pakistan’s PR team takes the day off," and added that India does not need enemies with "allies" like him "shouting fiction from New York."

Questioning if Revanth Reddy would listen to his own senior Congress colleague, Rao said the people of Telangana have a right to know why the Chief Minister wanted to meet an individual whose public stances on India and issues tied to the sentiments of millions have repeatedly generated controversy.

Rao demanded an explanation from Revanth Reddy, stating that if the US visit was an official trip intended to attract investments, the Chief Minister must clarify what specific benefit such an engagement would bring to Telangana.