HYDERABAD, India (Diya TV) — The Telangana government’s move to host the 72nd Miss World pageant between May 7 and May 31 has set off a political controversy regarding public spending priorities. The pageant, which will be held at different venues in the state, including Hyderabad, is intended to promote Telangana’s cultural heritage and enhance tourism.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao mocked the Congress state government’s decision to spend money on the pageant, pitting it against spending in the past during the BRS government.
Rama Rao brought out the government’s decision to spend more than $23 million (₹200 crore) on the Miss World while seeking to know why the BRS was subjected to scrutiny for spending more than $5 million (₹46 crore) to organize the Formula E race in Hyderabad while in power.
He expressed his concerns on social media, saying, “Apparently spending ₹46 crore for Formula E race in Hyderabad was wrong & will attract cases being filed. But spending ₹200 crore of public money to conduct Miss World, a beauty contest, is right!! What is this perverse logic?”
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy defended the hosting of the Miss World pageant in response, highlighting its global propulsive power to raise the international image of Telangana and boost tourism. Refuting the complaint, he cited so-called financial mismanagement in earlier events, saying, “In the Formula E case, Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao misused government funds. Don’t know what problem he has with the Miss World competition.”
Amid the controversy, Smita Sabharwal, Telangana Government’s Tourism, Culture, Heritage, and Youth Affairs Department Secretary, explained the monetary details of hosting the Miss World pageant. She dispelled the illusion that the state is spending $23 million (₹200 crore), explaining the actual expenditure in detail.
The Miss World Organization was keen on collaborating with Telangana for the event. Julia Morley, Chairperson and CEO of Miss World Limited, said, “Partnering with the Telangana government enables us to promote its amazing heritage and vibrant growth to the world.”
