In what can be described as a politically significant moment, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has made a strong public statement acknowledging the contribution of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in transforming Hyderabad into one of India’s foremost IT hubs. This statement comes at a time when debates around the origins of Hyderabad’s IT success are being widely discussed and sometimes contested across political and social circles. Speaking at a public event today, Revanth Reddy offered due recognition to prominent past political leaders and their impactful legacies. He noted that while former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao will be remembered as a visionary who introduced ration rice and made premium rice varieties like Sona Masoori accessible to the common man, it was Chandrababu Naidu who will be remembered for revolutionizing the IT sector and conceptualizing Hitec City.

In Revanth’s words, “Senior NTR will go down as a historical leader who introduced ration rice and brought Sona Masoori rice to common households. Chandrababu Garu will go down as the man who triggered the IT revolution and the founding father of Hitec City.” The chief minister didn’t stop there. He also paid homage to late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, describing him as a “patriot of the farming community,” known for his significant contributions through free electricity for irrigation and expansive water projects that greatly benefitted rural farmers.

A Bold Political Acknowledgement of Babu’s Legacy

Perhaps the most striking and politically relevant part of Revanth’s address was his unequivocal acknowledgement of Chandrababu Naidu’s role in laying the foundation for Hyderabad’s IT transformation—a sentiment rarely echoed by leaders from rival political parties. Chandrababu Naidu’s efforts during the late 1990s are widely seen as the catalyst for Hyderabad’s emergence on the global IT map. A defining moment in this transformation came in 1998 when Naidu successfully courted Microsoft founder Bill Gates, persuading the global tech giant to set up operations in Hyderabad. This decision opened the floodgates for other major technology firms to follow suit, including Oracle, IBM, and Google, establishing Hyderabad as a major software export hub.

Under Naidu’s leadership, the then-undivided Andhra Pradesh state government laid the infrastructure groundwork for what would later become Hitec City—Hyderabad Information Technology and Engineering Consultancy City. The city was envisioned as a global tech hub, complete with world-class facilities, connectivity, and urban planning tailored to attract multinational corporations. Revanth Reddy’s latest remarks effectively dismantle narratives that attempt to discredit Chandrababu’s role in this transformation. For many, this is a long-awaited validation coming from none other than the chief minister of Telangana—a state formed after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, where much political rivalry has lingered between leaders of the two regions.

Reactions and Political Ripples

Revanth’s remarks have quickly gone viral on social media and are being welcomed by various industry veterans, political analysts, and the public alike. Supporters of Chandrababu Naidu have taken this moment to highlight how visionary leadership and long-term planning can drive generational change. On the other hand, political commentators see this as a mature and statesmanlike move by Revanth Reddy, signaling a shift toward a more collaborative and acknowledgement-based political narrative—one that puts developmental achievements above partisan rivalries.

The acknowledgment also comes at a crucial time when Telangana is ramping up efforts to attract global investment in its IT and innovation sectors. Recognizing the groundwork laid in the past serves not only to honor the legacy of past leaders but also helps the current administration build upon it. For Hyderabad, a city that today stands tall as one of India's IT powerhouses, this public validation of its roots is a reminder that visionary planning transcends political affiliations. And in the larger discourse of Indian politics, such gestures go a long way in promoting unity, appreciation, and progress. With this statement now in the public domain, there is little room left for doubts or misinformation surrounding the origins of Hyderabad’s IT boom. Chandrababu Naidu’s role in that chapter of history has now been reaffirmed by the highest political office in Telangana.