BJP Slams Revanth Reddy Over Rs 100 Crore Messi Football Match Funding
"Instead of curtailing government agencies, diverting employee welfare funds from Singareni amounts to an economic crime": A. Maheshwar Reddy
HYDERABAD: The BJP has demanded a detailed response from Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on the source of ₹100 crore which it claims is being spent on the exhibition match featuring football icon Lionel Messi here on Saturday. Party Assembly floor leader A. Maheshwar Reddy alleged that funds were routed through government departments, including sponsorship from Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) for the Chief Minister's team.
He was speaking during a BJP protest organised in front of the SCCL office here on Friday. Condemning the expenditure as a misuse of public money to indulge Revanth Reddy's "personal passion", Maheshwar Reddy questioned its benefits to Telangana.
"Instead of curtailing government agencies, diverting employee welfare funds from Singareni amounts to an economic crime," he charged. He highlighted costs covering player security, flight tickets, and honorariums, warning that the football match could damage the premier cricket pitch at Uppal Stadium.
"If it's his passion, he should secure personal sponsors, not misuse state resources," he said. He drew parallels to Congress accusations against former minister K.T. Rama Rao over the Formula E car race, asking if Revanth Reddy deserved similar punishment.
The BJP leader noted the match wasn't formally approved by the Cabinet and vowed protests if queries go unanswered. "If Revanth Reddy fails poll promises, people will 'play football' with him in upcoming elections," he quipped.