Harish Rao calls for fresh agitation to protect Telangana’s water rights

Former Minister Harish Rao has called for mass protests against the Banakacharla project, accusing political rivals of compromising Telangana’s water rights. He warned of legal action and agitation, comparing it to the earlier Telangana statehood movement led by universities and students

Hyderabad: Former Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader T Harish Rao has called for a renewed Telangana movement to safeguard the state’s water rights, alleging a conspiracy involving the Congress, BJP, and TDP over the controversial Banakacharla project.

Addressing a students’ gathering here, Rao accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu of colluding with the Centre to compromise Telangana’s interests.

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“Revanth believes he controls Delhi, and Chandrababu assumes he can dictate terms. But regardless of their pact, the people of Telangana will never accept the Banakacharla project,” he declared.

Rao said the BRS would challenge the project in the Supreme Court, warning that the party would not hesitate to launch a mass movement akin to the Telangana statehood struggle. He specifically invoked the role of Osmania and Kakatiya Universities, stating that they would once again become the nerve centres of protest.

“We will block national highways, stage rail rokos, and force Delhi to reconsider. Not a single drop of Telangana’s water will be surrendered,” Rao thundered, urging citizens to resist what he described as a concerted attempt to undermine the state’s rightful share.