The BRS party has decided to challenge both the Congress and the BJP over their stance on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The party is criticizing Naidu for opposing Telangana’s irrigation projects, particularly the Kaleshwaram project.
During the Telangana agitation, BRS leaders openly opposed Naidu and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). This opposition helped BRS gain support in Telangana while weakening TDP. Now, the issue of Krishna river water distribution has given BRS another opportunity to regain support and target the Congress and BJP for their handling of the matter. The party is accusing the Telangana government of failing to act against Andhra Pradesh for drawing water and also blaming the Centre for favoring Andhra Pradesh.
Senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao recently condemned Chandrababu Naidu’s remarks about Telangana’s irrigation projects. Speaking at a press conference in Siddipet, he accused Naidu of misleading the public. Harish Rao pointed out that Naidu had officially opposed the Kaleshwaram project in a letter to the Centre on June 13, 2018. To prove his claim, Harish Rao released a copy of Naidu’s letter, calling it an example of Naidu’s double standards.
Harish Rao also criticized Naidu’s statement that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were like “two eyes.” He questioned how there could be equality when Telangana’s Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal was left dry while Andhra Pradesh fully utilized water from the Right Canal.
He highlighted that Andhra Pradesh, which was temporarily allocated 512 TMC feet of Krishna water, has already used 655 TMC feet. Meanwhile, Telangana, which should receive 343 TMC feet, has only received 220 TMC feet. Harish Rao blamed Naidu and the BJP for using their influence at the Centre to suppress Telangana’s concerns.
Harish Rao further accused Naidu of illegally diverting water from Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam, pushing Telangana into a severe water crisis. He reminded the public that Naidu has consistently opposed Telangana’s irrigation projects, including Kalwakurthy, Palamuru-Rangareddy, and Dindi lift irrigation schemes, despite their approval before the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh is now attempting to divert 200 TMC feet from the Godavari River to the Penna basin without proper approvals.
Harish Rao also criticized Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for not taking action. He pointed out that despite Telangana having eight Congress MPs, eight BJP MPs, and two Union Ministers, none of them are speaking up for the state. He accused Revanth Reddy of being too afraid to challenge Naidu or question the BJP. According to Harish Rao, Revanth Reddy’s attitude in Delhi is one of fear, while his approach to Naidu is one of loyalty.
