In a bid to mobilize support for a united fight against the Narendra Modi-led central government on its attempts to dilute the federal structure of the country, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy gave a call to all the southern states to unite to protect their rights.
Participating in the “Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters” organized by the Malayalam daily ‘Mathrubhumi’ in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, he called for unity among the Southern states—Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry—to protect their rights and uphold the guarantees enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
Revanth Reddy has raised concerns over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed concept of ‘One Country, One Election,’ calling it a strategy designed to benefit “One Person, One Party” and accusing it of being part of a hidden agenda.
He questioned the fairness of the proposal and its potential consequences, particularly for Southern states that have shown significant progress in family planning and economic development compared to the Northern states.
He expressed concerns about the possible repercussions for the Southern States due to their success in implementing family planning policies and experiencing faster development. He criticized the Union government’s approach towards delimiting the Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies, which, according to him, could lead to further disadvantages for the southern states.
“The Southern States have demonstrated progress in terms of development and family planning, but they are now seemingly facing the consequences of their own success,” Reddy remarked. He accused that the Union government has not been offering adequate support to states governed by non-BJP parties, particularly those in the south.
“The Union government is not extending support to all States, particularly to those in the south and those governed by parties other than the BJP,” Reddy said.
He further remarked that Modi’s actions seemed aimed at asserting control over the states, diminishing their rights, and turning them into mere local bodies. “India operates as a federation of States. Narendra Modi cannot disregard the essential rights of these States,” he added.
Revanth Reddy urged the people of the Southern states to come together and oppose the Modi administration. He pledged that, if necessary, he would take the lead in this effort. “I call on the residents of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry to unite against the central government. If necessary, I will take the lead in this effort,” he added.