For decades, Indian chief ministers have approached the Prime Minister with a wish list in hand, expecting handouts like children at a birthday party. But Telangana’s Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy just got a hard lesson in federalism—Modi-style. Turns out, PM Narendra Modi is not in the business of one-way transactions. If you want something, you better come to the table with clean books and a willingness to play ball.
When Reddy met Modi in Delhi last week, he probably expected the usual: a polite nod, some vague assurances, and maybe even a few promises he could parade back home. Instead, he got a reality check. Modi made it crystal clear—before Telangana starts demanding funds for its pet projects, it should first clear the backlog of Central projects it has conveniently ignored.
The Telangana CM came armed with demands: approval for Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-2, Rs 20,000 crore for the Musi rejuvenation project, land for the Gandhi Sarovar project, and a host of other wishful asks. But Modi, ever the shrewd negotiator, countered with a list of his own—one filled with Telangana’s past-due federal obligations. The PM essentially said, “You want something? Settle your pending dues first.”
Among the glaring issues on Modi’s list was Telangana’s failure to implement the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The state had been allotted over 70,000 houses in 2016-18 but returned the funds instead of executing the scheme. Now, years later, it wants a fresh go at it. Too bad it never conducted the necessary surveys to identify eligible beneficiaries. The PM pointed out that Telangana hasn’t even started the 2024 household survey required for the new phase of the scheme. Yet, it expects fresh allocations? Not happening.
And that’s just the start. Telangana is also dragging its feet on several critical Central projects, including:
- Mobile connectivity expansion (4G, 5G projects worth Rs 32,797 crore)
- Irrigation projects (Rs 18,189 crore worth of stalled developments)
- AIIMS-Bibinagar construction (Rs 1,365 crore still in limbo)
- Railway projects (New lines and electrification totaling Rs 3,113 crore)
- A 100-bed ESI hospital in Shamshabad (Rs 150 crore waiting for movement)
Yet, the CM arrived in Delhi with his own Santa’s list, asking for:
- Rs 20,000 crore for Musi rejuvenation (while pending Central schemes gather dust)
- 222 acres of defense land (because why not?)
- Approval for a dry port near the RRR
- A slice of the India Semiconductor Mission pie
- 29 new IPS posts for Telangana (as if governance failures stem from a lack of officers)
Thus far, Modi’s message, in my view, is clear: the era of unchecked federal handouts is over. States—whether BJP-ruled or Opposition-led—must uphold their end of the bargain. No more treating the Centre as an ATM while crying ‘step-motherly treatment.
Opposition-ruled states, particularly in the South (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana), have made an art form out of playing victim while mismanaging state finances. They love rolling out freebies during elections, only to turn around and accuse the Centre of withholding funds when their coffers run dry. It’s like maxing out a credit card on luxuries and then blaming the bank when the bill arrives.
Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, where the BJP is part of the ruling coalition with TDP and Jana Sena, governance appears far more cooperative. Maybe because they understand that governance isn’t just about asking—it’s also about delivering.
So, what does this new approach mean for other Opposition CMs? If Revanth Reddy’s experience is any indication, expect tougher negotiations and a more transactional federalism. Modi isn’t handing out blank cheques. If you want to be a partner in national development, be ready to reciprocate.
And for those still whining about Modi’s tough stance, here’s a fun fact: Even US President Joe Biden has admitted that Modi is a better negotiator than him. If the leader of the world’s most powerful nation acknowledges it, what chance does an Opposition CM like Reddy stand?
Perhaps it’s time for the Opposition to stop the blame game and start governing. Because, as Telangana just learned, in Modi’s India, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
