Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday said the patriotism of AIMIM leaders Asaduddin Owaisi and Akbaruddin Owaisi could not be questioned, asserting that when it came to commitment to the country, they were no less than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah.Speaking at the inauguration of Chanchalguda-Santoshnagar steel flyover, Revanth said Owaisi had stood by the country during Operation Sindoor and demonstrated his patriotism. “Political ideologies may be different, but when it comes to patriotism, we are all one,” he said.Revanth said his relationship with Owaisis was based on friendship and his commitment to Old City’s development, and not electoral considerations. He said he did not expect electoral support from AIMIM but was clear that the underprivileged people in the Old City deserved development and access to better infrastructure. “I am giving instructions to officials to grant anything requested by Owaisis,” he said.He added that he had a special regard for the Old City, as his in-laws belonged to Malakpet and he knew every lane in the area. “I had said earlier that this is not Old City but the original city,” he said.Revanth said he wanted to leave a legacy in the Old City by working with its people and leaders. Referring to the Nizam’s lasting impact on Hyderabad, he said he wanted people years later to remember the works undertaken by Congress govt during his tenure with cooperation from AIMIM.On Old City metro, Revanth said land acquisition was almost complete and the project would progress rapidly if work proceeded as planned. He said the metro would be completed before the next elections. He also said the govt would extend metro connectivity from Nagole to LB Nagar, Vanasthalipuram, Chandrayangutta, Rajendranagar and Shamshabad. A three-km cable bridge would also be constructed across Mir Alam Tank, he said.Revanth said officials had been directed to sanction development works sought by Asaduddin Owaisi. He said AIMIM MLA Ahmed Bin Abdullah Balala had sought ₹20 crore for development of a college and he was sanctioning ₹25 crore. “I will sanction funds, but it is the MLA’s responsibility to complete development works within 18 months,” he said, adding that govt was ready to spend whatever was required for education.Taking a swipe at BRS, Revanth said the previous govt had merely performed a foundation ceremony for Chanchalguda-Santoshnagar flyover and walked away without spending a single rupee on its construction. His govt had provided funds and completed the bridge, he said.Revanth also targeted BJP and BRS over their opposition to his plans for Musi riverfront development. He said projects along Sabarmati, Ganga and Yamuna were praised, while attempts to develop Musi were being criticised. “We will develop Musi and promote night economy,” he said, adding that govt would focus on creating employment opportunities for disadvantaged Muslims in Old City.Revanth said the govt was also constructing one lakh Indiramma houses in Hyderabad. He said development of Telangana and Hyderabad was possible only when Hindus and Muslims worked together.He highlighted Congress’s role in providing four per cent reservation for Muslims and said welfare measures included 200 units of free electricity for every poor family and LPG cylinders for ₹500.Revanth said the BJP and BRS were obstructing development projects at every stage even as his govt sought to develop Hyderabad on all fronts. “Politics is only during elections. Once elections are over, development is our only goal,” he said, calling for people and political leaders to work together for Hyderabad’s development.
