New Delhi: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has made a strong pitch for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to become the next Prime Minister of India,
calling his leadership a “historical necessity” for the country at the present juncture. Addressing the YS Rajasekhara Reddy Awards 2026 ceremony in New Delhi, Revanth Reddy recalled the late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s wish to see Rahul Gandhi become Prime Minister. “Making Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister is a real tribute to YSR,” Revanth Reddy said, adding that fulfilling YSR’s final wish would require Congress leaders and workers to work together to ensure Rahul Gandhi becomes Prime Minister in the upcoming elections. The Telangana CM said the country is going through difficult and challenging times and needed a leader who could stand with the people. He described Rahul Gandhi as the “strong leader” required at this historic juncture. Revanth Reddy also urged Congress workers to work collectively under the leadership of party president Mallikarjun Kharge to realise the goal of making Rahul Gandhi Prime Minister. The Telangana Chief Minister also invoked YSR’s contribution to irrigation in the state, saying projects including Pranahita-Chevella, Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation and the SLBC tunnel were part of his vision. He announced that his government would complete the stalled projects and dedicate them to the people of Telangana. Earlier at the ceremony, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge conferred the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy Award 2026 on the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and underlined the need for a development model that protects farmers, rural communities and the poor. Recalling the Green Revolution and M S Swaminathan’s contribution, Kharge said India had transformed from a “beggar bowl” to a “grain bowl” through the expansion of agricultural technology, irrigation, electricity, improved seeds, fertilisers, credit and extension services. The rice bowl of South India i.e the undivided Andhra Pradesh State was also the beneficiary with the results of his Green Revolution mission. Kharge also cited the Congress’s rural development legacy, referring to land reforms under Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi’s technology missions, the empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions and social-security initiatives during the UPA period, including the National Food Security Act. Former Rajya Sabha member and director of the Dr YSR & KVP Foundation, Dr KVP Ramachandra Rao said that this award was instituted in the fond memory of Reddy who strove throughout his life for making farming remunerative, and enhancing the living standards of farmers.
