Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and former chairman and CEO, recently visited the state, but notably did not meet with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and IT Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu, as had been customary during his previous visits to Hyderabad. This departure from tradition raised eyebrows, especially considering that even the current Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella typically adheres to these protocols.
Despite requests from state officials for a meeting, Bill Gates’s office cited time constraints. This absence of engagement with state leadership comes at a time when investments in the state have been dwindling. Some attribute this decline to the perceived missteps of the current administration, led by Revanth Reddy, including the cancellation of prestigious projects and confusion surrounding policy decisions.
Critics argue that the state’s brand image has suffered under Revanth Reddy’s leadership, with recent investment announcements largely stemming from the previous government’s efforts. Moreover, tensions within the administration, particularly between Revanth Reddy and Duddilla Sridhar Babu, have further exacerbated the situation. Furthermore, it is alleged that Revanth Reddy is controlling Sridhar Babu by being present at every meeting with industrialists.
It should be noted that Revanth Reddy is already facing online trolling for his gaffe-filled speeches at international forums such as Davos and the Bio Asia conference.