In a surprising yet respectful political gesture, Telangana Cabinet Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy publicly praised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for his transformative role in shaping modern-day Hyderabad. The rare moment of cross-party appreciation took place during a book launch event for BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya, held in Hyderabad on June 8, 2025.
Sharing the stage with Chandrababu Naidu, Komatireddy, who currently serves as Telangana's Cinematography Minister in the Congress-led government, lauded the Andhra CM's efforts during his tenure in the undivided Andhra Pradesh. “Whenever we think about Hyderabad and Hitech City, we immediately recall Chandrababu Naidu. Such was the kind of impact this gentleman had on the development index of Hyderabad,” Komatireddy stated.
His words echoed a sentiment that has long existed but is rarely acknowledged in public forums by leaders from opposition parties—Chandrababu Naidu’s foundational role in making Hyderabad a global IT and business hub.
This statement comes at a time when political discourse between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has often been marked by rivalry. Yet, Komatireddy’s public acknowledgment highlights the undeniable contributions of Chandrababu during the 1990s and early 2000s when he envisioned and executed the plan for Cyberabad and brought multinational corporations like Microsoft to Hyderabad.
Political analysts suggest that such statements from sitting ministers signify a broader recognition of development-focused politics and may even hint at changing political dynamics in the Telugu states.
The event, which was meant to celebrate a book on Dattatreya's life and work, ended up becoming a platform for an unusual moment of bipartisan respect. While Chandrababu Naidu graciously acknowledged the comments, he kept his focus on future development, calling for increased cooperation between the Telugu-speaking states. This rare moment of mutual admiration was noted by the audience and quickly gained traction on social media, with many users applauding Komatireddy's candid acknowledgment of the historical role played by Chandrababu in Hyderabad’s transformation.
