Congress, BJP enacting fresh drama over Tummidihatti: former MP Vinod Kumar

Former BRS MP B. Vinod Kumar accused the Congress and BJP of indulging in political theatrics over the Tummidihatti project. Citing Maharashtra's longstanding opposition, he said repairs to the Medigadda barrage and reliance on Kaleshwaram remain Telangana's only viable options.

Hyderabad: Former BRS MP B Vinod Kumar on Wednesday accused both the Congress and the BJP of staging a fresh political drama over the Tummidihatti project, despite being aware of Maharashtra’s longstanding opposition to the proposal. He said the State government is left with no option, but to take up repairs to the Medigadda barrage and supply water from the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme for irrigation and drinking water purposes.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, Vinod Kumar questioned the statements of union Minister G Kishan Reddy and BJP State president N Ramchander Rao on the issue. He reminded that while Kishan Reddy claimed that he would resign if anyone proved that he was creating hurdles the Tummidihatti project, Ramchander Rao alleged that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy did not write any letter to his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis and he was misleading people of Telangana.

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“Both of them are indulging in blame game for political benefits, but no real work on the ground,” he said, adding that the original Pranahita-Chevella proposal under the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh government envisaged a structure at Tummidihatti with a height of 152 metres, under former Chief Minister late YS Rajasekhara Reddy. However, he said the then Congress government in Maharashtra had formally opposed the proposal and refused to grant permission.

The BRS leader said even during the BRS regime, despite repeated efforts by former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and extensive discussions with Maharashtra leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the neighbouring State remained unwilling to clear the project.

He said the Chief Minister targetd union Minister Kishan Reddy, accusing him of creating hurdles and not convincing Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis. He recalled that union Minister Bandi Sanjay also earlier promised to secure permissions within six months, but no progress had been made.

Vinod Kumar said both parties were now indulging in political theatrics over Tummidihatti. He asserted that the State government’s recent decision to take up repairs at the Medigadda barrage indicated that the Kaleshwaram project remained the only practical option for Telangana.