Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has reaffirmed that the Telangana Model is based on three key principles—development, welfare, and good governance. Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2025 in New Delhi, he stated that Hyderabad is now competing with global cities like New York, Seoul, and Tokyo, rather than just Indian cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, or Delhi.
At the event, Reddy participated in a discussion with India Today’s Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai and Executive Editor Preeti Choudhary. He addressed various issues and, in response to a question, compared Gujarat’s development model to a ‘Test match’ while calling Telangana’s approach a ‘T20 model,’ suggesting that Telangana’s growth is faster and more dynamic.
Hyderabad’s Transformation and Future City
CM Revanth Reddy announced the creation of the Future City Development Authority, which will oversee the construction of a world-class Future City across 30,000 acres. He expressed confidence that Hyderabad would undergo a major transformation within five years. “We are not just competing with Indian cities but with global cities,” he said.
He emphasized that Hyderabad’s progress has been a long-term effort, spanning over 450 years, dating back to the Qutb Shahi era. He added that while governments and Chief Ministers may change, development should continue without interruption.
Economic Challenges and Investment Needs
The Chief Minister urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide the same investment incentives to all states that Gujarat receives. Highlighting Telangana’s financial situation, he pointed out that the state’s debt had risen significantly from ₹69 crore in 2014 to ₹7 lakh crore.
Telangana’s monthly revenue is ₹18,500 crore, but ₹13,000 crore is spent on salaries and debt payments, leaving little for development projects. He called for a national discussion on the financial challenges faced by states to find solutions.
Need for Delimitation and Caste Census
Ahead of the 2026 delimitation process, Reddy emphasized the importance of consulting all political parties to ensure fair representation, especially for southern states. He also supported the idea of a caste-based census, arguing that just as Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are counted, Backward Classes (BC) should also have their population recorded. This, he said, would help ensure proper reservations in education, jobs, and politics.
Opposition to Forced Hindi Learning
On the issue of language, the Telangana CM made it clear that Hindi should not be imposed on people. He pointed out that many colleges offer French, German, and other languages as options. “People should have the freedom to learn the language they prefer. We are not against Hindi, but we oppose forcing it on people,” he said.
Hyderabad’s Olympic Ambitions
Revanth Reddy also revealed that he had urged Prime Minister Modi to consider Hyderabad as a host city for the Olympic Games. He highlighted Hyderabad’s experience in organizing major sporting events, such as the World Military Games, National Games, and Asian Games.
He stated that Telangana has produced many world-class athletes and suggested that the International Olympic Association should decide whether Hyderabad or Ahmedabad is better suited to host the Olympics.
Telangana’s Global Aspirations
With his statements at the India Today Conclave, CM Revanth Reddy positioned Telangana as a progressive and globally competitive state. He reinforced the state’s ambition to lead in economic growth, governance, and sports infrastructure, aiming to make Hyderabad a major global city.
