REPORTERS’ DIARY : Revanth disappoints MIM

It was almost like “Aasman se gir khajur pe aatke” situation at the iftar party held by the Telangana government for the Muslim community. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy offered khajur (dates) to MIM leader Owaisi and the visuals oozed bonhomie. But Owaisi and most of Muslim circles present were upset as Revanth Reddy did not speak about the notification of rules relating to the Citizenship Amendment Act. This happened despite Owaisi, in his speech, requesting Revanth to speak about CAA and clarify his party’s stand. He felt it would be a good message for Telangana and the country at large. While Muslim leaders were upset, Minister Komatireddy Venkatreddy was asked to make a statement off-stage on CAA. Predictably, he refused to do so, and even said: “MIM is BJP’s chamcha”. MIM leaders opposed it, and told him not to speak like that. However, later Revanth told reporters in a chit chat: “MIM is close to us as long as they are not with BRS. If they are close to BRS, we will distance them”.