On Friendship Day, it was love and bonhomie all around with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao generously praising and indulging in patting each other's back. Modi’s maiden visit to the newest State of Telangana on Sunday, after more than two years after he became the PM, to inaugurate several major development projects of the State, including a drinking water supply project and a super power plant, became an occasion to send the signals of a new found warmth and respect for each other.
While the Chief Minister showered praises on Modi for providing “the most corruption-free Government in Indian history”, the PM reciprocated generously. “Telangana is just a two-year-old State and yet it has been able to fulfil the expectations of the people”, Modi said.
During a visit to the State, which has sparked speculations of a possible friendship between the BJP and the TRS, Modi inaugurated a Rs 40,000 crore drinking water supply project Mission Bhagirath of the State Government at Komatibanda Gutta.
The PM also dedicated 1,200 MW thermal power project of Singareni Collieries at Jaipur village of Adilabad, laid foundation stone for 1,600 MW Telangana Super thermal power project and a fertiliser plant at Ramagundam, and University of Health Sciences at Warangal and Manoharabad-Kothapalli railway line to connect Hyderabad with Karimnagar district.
The waves of geniality set off by the two leaders run directly in the face of the strident stand taken by the BJP State leaders charging the TRS Government with failure on many fronts.
In the backdrop of souring relationship between the BJP and the TDP in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh over special category status to the State and other growing demands of CM Chandrababu Naidu, KCR said that he was not demanding Rs 50,000 crore or Rs 1 lakh crore from the Centre but “only love and blessings of Modi”.
KCR also gave Modi a long wishlist which included one AIIMS, an IIM, funding for Mission Kakatiya to restore irrigation tanks and national status for an irrigation project.
While KCR called Modi, "the most popular leader of Bharat Desh", Modi called KCR an "able leader".
"Whenever CM KCR met me he spoke only about the State's development, and about water related issues", he said. "I am confident Telangana will achieve the aims for which it was established".
He said that water, power and environment were among the strengths of Telangana. "Chief Minister KCR is very passionate about water it can produce gold out of soil", he said urging the people to conserve every drop of water to deal with the crisis.
He rued that the importance of water was felt only when there was no access to it.
Referring to the foundation for the new railway line, Modi said that the demand for it was raised many times in the past but they were in vain. "But the Shilaniyas (foundation) has been laid today".
He said his Government was laying emphasis on the economic development and rail connectivity.
Stressing that the cooperative federalism was the only way that can help both the States and the Centre to progress Modi said, "There was a time when dialogue between Centre and states was quiet tense but now both work together for development".
He thanked the Chief Minister for his support to the passing of GST bill in Parliament.
Stating that the rural India and agriculture sector were the greatest assets of Indian economy, he said, "We are trying to give impetus to both to boost growth reforms have taken place in power sector". Prime Minister said that the reforms were also being taken up in the power sector.
He was accompanied by the Union Ministers for power, railway, urban development and fertilizer Piyush Goyal, Suresh Prabhu, M Venkaiah Naidu, HS Anantha Kumar and Minister of State Bandaru Dattatreya.
Earlier on arrival at the Begumpet airport in Hyderabad the State Governor ESN Narasimhan and the Chief Minister KCR accorded warm welcome to the Prime Minister.