For much of the past 16 months, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has maintained a seemingly cordial rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite their divergent political ideologies. The mutual understanding, driven by a purported focus on the state’s development, has kept their interactions largely amicable. However, political tensions occasionally surface, as was evident today.

During a public address in Haryana, Prime Minister Modi launched a sharp critique of the Congress-led Telangana government, taking direct aim at its recent policies and governance. In a notable remark, he referenced the contentious deforestation activity at the University of Hyderabad (HCU), where approximately 400 acres of forest land were cleared—an act that has sparked widespread national debate.

“The Congress government in Telangana has not fulfilled any of its electoral promises. And on top of that, they have driven bulldozers into green forests, cutting down 400 acres of forest cover in Hyderabad,” the Prime Minister said, highlighting what he described as a clear contradiction in the party’s environmental stance.

This marks the first time Prime Minister Modi has publicly addressed the HCU deforestation controversy, signaling his disapproval of the move. His comments reflect growing political friction between the Centre and the Telangana state government and may signal a shift in the previously neutral tone between the two leaders.

The HCU deforestation drive, already under scrutiny from environmentalists and opposition leaders, is now drawing attention at the national level, potentially intensifying the debate over ecological sustainability and political accountability in Telangana.