BJP Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao on Friday urged the Congress to desist from “unnecessary politics” over the ministry of external affairs’ decision to withhold political clearance for Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s proposed visit to the United States, saying the move was strictly in line with established diplomatic and security protocols.

Addressing media at the party’s state office, Rao clarified there was no political angle behind the MEA’s decision, noting that the Union government had already granted permission for the delegation of officials accompanying Revanth Reddy to travel and hold meetings on investments and agreements.

He explained that political clearances for Chief Ministers’ foreign trips were granted only after a thorough examination of factors such as the official necessity of the visit, the background of inviting organisations, the designation level of attendees, international protocol, diplomatic considerations, security arrangements and FCRA regulations.

Rao recalled past instances during the UPA regime in 2012 when the Centre rejected foreign trips of then-Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi (to the US and Israel) and then-Jharkhand CM Arjun Munda (to Thailand), and also pointed to how Congress leaders had earlier written letters opposing a US visa for then-Gujarat CM Narendra Modi.

Warning against politicising the issue, Rao said the Centre had created no hurdles when Revanth Reddy travelled abroad in the past, and that the current decision was made strictly in accordance with regulations and procedural norms.

Earlier, Rao welcomed prominent doctors, including renowned cancer specialist Dr Vijayender and a private hospital chairman Dr Pramod, into the BJP, presenting them with party scarves and describing their induction as a “very positive development” for the party’s outreach among medical professionals.