Revanth blatantly lying on Krishna water allocations, says Harish
Telangana’s share was protected under the previous BRS government unlike the present Congress government which is surrendering it to Andhra Pradesh: Harish
Hyderabad: Former Minister and senior BRS MLA T Harish Rao tore into Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s misleading claims in the Assembly on Krishna water allocations, terming them as attempts to cover up the Congress government’s failures. Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna water was protected under the previous BRS regime, unlike the Congress government, which surrendered it to Andhra Pradesh, he said.
Addressing the media at Telangana Bhavan on Sunday, Harish Rao systematically dismantled what he called ‘falsehoods’ stated by Revanth Reddy and presented facts on Telangana’s share of Krishna waters, the historic injustices meted out to the State and the BRS government’s efforts to ensure justice.
The BRS MLA dismissed claims that former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao failed Mahabubnagar in securing Krishna waters, stating that it was the BRS chief’s foresight that paved the way for Telangana’s rightful share. He pointed out that Chandrashekhar Rao initiated the process for Section 3 recognition, which legally strengthened Telangana’s claim over 70 per cent of Krishna waters. In contrast, the Congress-backed Bifurcation Act proposed an unjust sharing of the existing 811 TMC between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on a 66:34 basis.
“Within a month of Telangana’s formation, Chandrashekhar Rao personally took the matter to Delhi, pushing for a tribunal to settle the water dispute. Contrary to Revanth Reddy’s baseless assertions, he never relinquished Telangana’s rights but fought relentlessly to secure a fair share,” he asserted.
Congress and TDP’s historic betrayal of Telangana
Pointing to the historical injustice, Harish Rao exposed how successive Congress and TDP governments neglected irrigation development in Telangana. While Andhra Pradesh built projects consuming 512 TMC of Krishna water, Telangana was left with only 299 TMC due to lack of irrigation infrastructure. The Congress and TDP governments deliberately deprived Telangana of its rightful share, leaving farmers in distress, he said, also pointing out that despite repeated letters from the BRS government to the Centre urging 50:50 allocation of Krishna waters, the BJP at the Centre continued to uphold the 66:34 ratio, effectively robbing Telangana. While it is only ad-hoc allocation before the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) finalised allocations, even the current Congress government signed the agreement for the same allocation, he pointed out.
Lies on Pothireddypadu and RLIS
Harish Rao also took on Revanth Reddy’s false claims about Pothireddypadu and the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme. He reminded that the TRS (now BRS) had fiercely opposed expansion of Pothireddypadu, leading protests and even paralysing the Assembly for 40 days in 2005. The TRS left the then Congress government opposing water allocations way before orders for Pothireddypady project were issued, he said, asking why Congress leaders like N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy remained silent when a government order was passed to divert Krishna waters from Telangana.
On the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, he presented documentary evidence of BRS efforts in blocking the project. The KCR government had repeatedly written to the Centre opposing it, secured a stay from the National Green Tribunal and ensured that unauthorized works were halted.
“Revanth Reddy, stop your lies! We fought and won stays against these projects, while you and your party remained silent,” he asserted.
Congress’s Neglect of Palamuru
Responding to Revanth Reddy’s allegation of BRS neglecting Mahabubnagar, the BRS leader tore into Congress’s historical neglect of the region. In contrast, the BRS government invested Rs.4,000 crore, completing long-pending projects such as Kalwakurthy, Bheema, Nettempadu and Koil Sagar, irrigating over 10 lakh acres and ending migration.
Harish Rao also dismissed Revanth Reddy’s suggestion to link Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme to Jurala project. He explained that Jurala’s 9 TMC capacity was insufficient, whereas Srisailam, with 215 TMC, was the logical source.
“Chandrashekhar Rao planned reservoirs with a capacity of 100 TMC in Mahabubnagar to ensure long-term irrigation security and completed 95 per cent of works,” he asserted, asking the Congress to complete the remaining works and supply water.
