Banakacherla stirs storm within Congress as MLAs frown over Revanth Reddy’s shady stance

Congress leaders and MLAs feel that the Chief Minister, instead of protecting Telangana’s interest, is joining hands with Andhra Pradesh.

Hyderabad: The Godavari-Banakacherla project being pushed forth by the Andhra Pradesh government has stirred a storm within the Congress in Telangana, with many MLAs and senior leaders raising concerns over Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s unilateral and rather shady stance on the project.

Several Congress MLAs are learnt to have discussed the Banakacherla issue at length internally with like-minded colleagues and pointed out that if Andhra Pradesh went ahead with the project, it would spell disaster for the Congress in Telangana.

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Every brick laid for the construction of the project would be a nail in the coffin for the Congress in the State, many Congress leaders feel, sparking a serious debate on who should take up the issue with the Chief Minister and explain the adverse impact of the project on the party’s future in Telangana. While some support a dialogue with the Chief Minister, others are said to be ready to even quit party positions to protect the State’s interests and oppose the Banakacherla project vehemently.

Amidst multiple corruption charges and the Congress government’s failures on different counts, they feel that the Banakacherla issue could turn into a major political controversy in the State. Once the Andhra Pradesh government begins full-fledged works on the project, Congress leaders fear they would not be able to defend themselves or blame others for failing to stop it.

Many are surprised and have voiced their dissent against the stance of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who has been seen as soft on the issue with Andhra Pradesh, attending Central government meetings and agreeing for the constitution of an expert committee for the project.

Leaders and MLAs feel that the Chief Minister, instead of protecting Telangana’s interest, is joining hands with Andhra Pradesh. They point to contradictions in his actions, citing the PowerPoint presentation he gave on the project, trying to project BRS as the culprit.

However, within days of the presentation, Revanth Reddy landed in New Delhi and attended a meeting with Naidu and signed documents. This has made many in the Congress feel that they were misled by the Chief Minister.

On the other hand, the BRS has already announced a war against the deceitful tactics of the Congress, especially Revanth Reddy and are already meeting students and the youth to drum up support against what party chief K Chandrashekhar Rao has termed a conspiracy against Telangana.

With the BRS expected to go all out against any injustice against Telangana and to move legally as well, Congress leaders feel that the lopsided decisions taken by the Chief Minister over the Banakacherla issue has served an excellent opportunity for the BRS on a platter. Many are worried that the Congress would not be able tocounter the charges effectively.

Another serious concern being raised by the leaders is whether Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha MP Sonia Gandhi were aware of the water disputes between the two Telugu States and also how Revanth Reddy can take unilateral decisions. The eventual political fallout for a national party because of one person is what they are pointing out.

Amidst this internal conflict, the PR team from the Chief Minister’s Office is reportedly exerting pressure on a few MLAs and leaders to speak in favour of the Banakacharla project. However, few are yielding to the pressure.

They wonder if Revanth Reddy was doing any out-of-the-way favour to his mentor (guru) Chandrababu Naidu or succumbing to the Centre’s pressure or even more seriously, getting “benefits” from the entire episode.