Harish Rao made allegations about water projects. In response, the Irrigation Minister stated that the Congress government took quick action when Andhra Pradesh initiated the Banakacherla-Godavari project.
The minister called Harish Rao‘s claims false and misleading. Uttam criticized the BRS government for weakening Telangana‘s river water rights. He said the government reduced Telangana‘s Krishna water allocation from 724 to 299 tmcft, while giving 512 tmcft to Andhra. He blamed this decision for the current crisis.