BRS MLA Harish Rao counters Telangana CM Revanth Reddy on Banakacharla, tacit support to Andhra Pradesh

Accuses him of compromising Telangana’s water rights; warns that such actions weaken the State’s case; criticises Centre for unequal treatment in irrigation project approvals

Hyderabad: Senior BRS MLA and former Minister T Harish Rao launched a blistering attack on Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday, accusing him of betraying Telangana’s water rights by tacitly supporting Andhra Pradesh’s Banakacharla project, which proposes to divert 200 TMCft of Godavari water.

Harish Rao ridiculed Revanth Reddy’s claim that Andhra Pradesh could utilise water from the Godavari and Krishna rivers after Telangana was ‘offered’ 1,000 TMCft and 500 TMCft, respectively. He said the Chief Minister was treating State water rights like a personal fiefdom.

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In a sharp rebuttal, the former Irrigation Minister pointed out that 968 TMCft of Godavari water had already been allocated to Telangana, with 946 TMCft cleared by the Central Water Commission (CWC) under the leadership of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. “There is nothing to beg Chandrababu Naidu for. This is not charity. These are Telangana’s legal rights, earned through years of struggle, not through Delhi packages or loyalty to Delhi parties,” he said.

He said Revanth Reddy was offering Andhra Pradesh 1,000 TMCft from the Godavari and 500 TMCft from the Krishna river as though he personally owned them. “Is this a monarchy? Telangana does not need your royal favours. Revanth Reddy should be hanged for his irresponsible remarks,” Harish Rao said.

He lambasted the Chief Minister for distorting BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao’s stand in the Apex Council meetings. “KCR sought 1,950 TMCft from the 3,000 TMCft of unused Godavari water that flows into the sea, in addition to Telangana’s rightful 968 TMCft. He also moved the tribunal for allocation of 763 TMCft in the Krishna river,” Harish Rao said.

He warned that Revanth Reddy’s “falsehoods” would damage Telangana’s case before tribunals and courts, especially by creating the impression that the State had agreed to projects such as Banakacharla. “KCR clearly stated that interlinking projects must not proceed without Telangana’s consent,” he said.

Calling the Chief Minister ignorant and irresponsible, Harish Rao said Revanth Reddy lacked even the basic understanding of river basins and hydrology. “You know bags, but not basins,” he mocked, referring to the Chief Minister asking officials about the location of the Banakacharla project.

He accused Revanth Reddy of using the issue for political optics and misleading the public with scripted presentations, aimed at helping his “old mentor” N Chandrababu Naidu. “You are diverting the core issue of illegal diversion and weakening Telangana’s case for political gains,” he charged.

Targeting the BJP-led Centre, Harish Rao demanded to know why Andhra Pradesh was being allowed to take up projects without permissions, while Telangana was denied funds and clearances. “The SLBC tunnel has collapsed. Farmers are suffering. Yet, neither the BJP nor the NDSA is questioning Revanth Reddy. Is this not betrayal?” he asked, urging Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay to break their silence.

He also sought the resignation of Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, holding him responsible for the SLBC tunnel collapse that endangered the project.

Drawing a comparison with the Congress regime, Harish Rao highlighted BRS achievements, citing hydrology clearances for Sammakka Sagar and Seethamma Sagar, and completion of major projects such as Kalwakurthy, Koilsagar and Nettempadu. “These projects brought irrigation to lakhs of acres. In 18 months, what has the Congress government done? Did they build even a single check dam or complete any pending project?” he asked.

Between 2004 and 2014, Congress could provide irrigation to just 6.6 lakh acres, while the previous BRS government ensured irrigation water to 48.7 lakh acres, he added.
He also criticised former IAS officer and Irrigation Advisor Adityanath Das, alleging that the same officer, once warned with jail for misleading courts on Andhra projects, was now scripting Telangana’s downfall. “This is not advice, it is sabotage,” Harish Rao said.

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Clear talk

• Harish says Revanth tacitly backing Banakacharla project to divert 200 TMCft of Godavari water
• Points out that TG already has rights over 968 TMCft, with 946 TMCft cleared by the CWC
• Dismisses Revanth’s offer of 1,000 TMCft and 500 TMCft to Andhra as unconstitutional and arrogant
• Says Revanth is treating Telangana’s water rights like a personal fiefdom
• Warns that Revanth’s remarks could weaken Telangana’s case in tribunals and courts
• Mocks Revanth’s ignorance of river basins, says he is helping Chandrababu Naidu’s agenda