PM Modi Jokes About ‘Aligning’ With Him During Telangana Visit

PM Modi’s remarks to Revanth Reddy during a Hyderabad event sparked political chatter as the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth ₹9,400 crore across Telangana.

Hyderabad witnessed a politically charged yet light-hearted exchange on Sunday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi jokingly suggested that Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy should “align” with him if the state wanted development similar to what Gujarat received over the last decade.

The remarks came during a public event in Hyderabad where the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple infrastructure and development projects collectively valued at around ₹9,400 crore. The exchange between the two leaders drew laughter from the audience and quickly became the talking point of the programme.

Exchange On Stage

The conversation began after Revanth Reddy referred to the “Gujarat model” that evolved when former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was in office and Narendra Modi served as Gujarat’s Chief Minister.

Addressing the gathering, Revanth Reddy said Telangana too aspired to build its own development model over the next decade. He urged the Prime Minister to support the state in the same way the Centre had backed Gujarat during the UPA years.

The Telangana Chief Minister also requested Modi to spare time for a detailed discussion on the state’s development proposals. According to officials present at the venue, the atmosphere remained cordial despite the political undertones.

Modi’s Light-Hearted Reply

Responding to the Chief Minister’s remarks, Modi said he was willing to extend to Telangana what Gujarat received during the previous Congress-led government’s tenure. However, he added in a humorous tone that based on his “experience”, the state could end up receiving “half of what it is getting now” unless Revanth Reddy aligned with him.

The Prime Minister’s comments triggered laughter from leaders and attendees seated on the stage, including the Chief Minister himself.

Though delivered jokingly, the remark was widely seen as carrying a subtle political message ahead of future electoral battles in the state.

Focus On Telangana Politics

Political observers believe the exchange reflects the BJP’s growing focus on Telangana, where the party has been trying to expand its footprint steadily.

The Congress came to power in Telangana after the Assembly elections held in November 2023, ending the decade-long rule of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Revanth Reddy took oath as Chief Minister after the Congress secured a clear majority.

The BJP, despite increasing its vote share in recent years, managed to win only a limited number of Assembly seats. However, party leaders have repeatedly indicated that Telangana remains a priority state for future expansion in the south.

Sunday’s public interaction between Modi and Revanth Reddy appeared friendly on the surface, but it also underlined the competitive political landscape emerging ahead of the next Assembly elections.

Projects Worth ₹9,400 Crore

During the Hyderabad visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several infrastructure, transport and industrial projects across Telangana.

Officials said the projects are aimed at boosting connectivity, manufacturing and employment generation in different parts of the state.

A significant highlight of the visit was the inauguration of the PM MITRA Park in Warangal, also referred to as the Kakatiya Mega Textile Park.

PM MITRA Park Inaugurated

The textile park, developed at an estimated cost of around ₹1,700 crore, is being described as India’s first fully operational PM MITRA Park.

The project has been planned under the Centre’s “5F” vision — Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion and Fashion to Foreign markets. Authorities expect the park to strengthen textile manufacturing and create employment opportunities in the region over the coming years.

According to officials, the facility is expected to attract investments from textile and apparel companies while improving Telangana’s industrial profile.

Political Signals Ahead

The Prime Minister’s Telangana visit comes at a time when the BJP is attempting to strengthen its organisational presence in southern states. With the NDA already in power in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh through its alliance with the Telugu Desam Party, Telangana continues to remain politically significant for the BJP’s southern strategy.

For the Congress government in Telangana, the public exchange also offered an opportunity to project cooperation with the Centre while continuing political competition on the ground.

The remarks made on stage may have been informal, but they have already added fresh momentum to the political conversation in Telangana.