Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments have intensified their efforts to get Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the Godavari Pushkaralu. The competition between the two states to invite the PM for the July 14 event has put the PMO in a fix. So far neither AP nor TS has received confirmation from the PMO regarding Mr Modi’s participation.

AP has been arguing that Rajahmundry is the best place for the Pushkaralu as earlier too the Pushkaralu was celebrated here. Meanwhile, Telangana has pointed out that Godavari enters AP from TS and has a longer stretch than AP with several holy places. TS endowments minister A. Indrakaran Reddy said, “We are inviting both the PM and President of India for the Pushkaralu. It may not be possible for the PM to attend the inauguration at both places but there is a possibility of him attending on any of the 12 days.

“In AP, the Godavari is only 130 km long in two districts whereas in Telangana it is 480 km long and passes through five districts.” Mr Reddy added, “We have called tenders for Rs 500 crore works and developing 110 ghats and are expecting around 5-5 crore people; last time 3 crore attended. The Centre has given Rs 100 crore each to Maharashtra and Andhra but only Rs 50 crore to Telangana though we had sought Rs 700 crore. We are seeking more funds.”

AP government communication advisor Mr Parakala Prabhakar said, “We have orally requested the PM and he said he would consider. We are going to invite him formally soon. With the publicity for the event to be started soon we are expecting more visitors that the official estimate of 5 crore.”