‘Congress compromising on Telangana water rights’: KTR accuses CM Revanth of stalling Palamuru project
KTR said the Palamuru project was being ‘consciously sidelined’ as its completion would politically benefit former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR)
By - Sistla Dakshina Murthy
BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (File Photo)
Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) on Monday accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of intentionally neglecting the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project for political reasons and compromising Telangana’s water rights.
‘CM Revanth stopping the project for AP CM Naidu’
Speaking to the media during an informal interaction at the Telangana Legislative Assembly premises, KTR said the Palamuru project was being ‘consciously sidelined’ as its completion would politically benefit former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR).
He further alleged that the Chief Minister was avoiding the project to prevent displeasure from his ‘former political mentor’ N Chandrababu Naidu, particularly over drawing water from the Krishna River.
‘Project allowed to wither despite clear approvals’
KTR alleged that even basic works, including canal excavation, had been stalled under the current government. “If Palamuru is completed, credit will go to KCR; that fear alone is driving this neglect,” he claimed.
He recalled that it was the earlier Congress regime that agreed to a reduced allocation of 45 TMC of water for Palamuru, while the BRS government later sought higher allocations based on approvals secured earlier.
Kaleshwaram is a symbol of KCR’s administrative commitment, says KTR
Referring to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, KTR said it stood as proof of KCR’s political will and commitment.
“We have been hearing about the Polavaram project for over 70 years, yet it remains incomplete. In contrast, Kaleshwaram was completed during KCR’s tenure because of his determination,” he said.
KTR asserted that any probe into Kaleshwaram would hurt the State’s interests rather than the BRS politically. “People know who delivered water to their fields,” he remarked.
‘Water governance needs vision, not crash courses’
Criticising the Congress leadership’s handling of irrigation issues, KTR said water governance could not be learnt through a short-term study.
“You don’t understand irrigation by reading a subject for four days. You need commitment and love for the State,” he said, alleging that some in power lacked even basic knowledge of river basins.
He also questioned how individuals who had earlier opposed the Palamuru project were now serving as advisers on irrigation and demanding debates with KCR.
GHMC delimitation driven by financial motives: KTR
On the proposed restructuring of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), KTR alleged that the move was motivated purely by financial considerations.
“Delimitation is being carried out arbitrarily, guided by brokers and merchant bankers. It lacks scientific or administrative rationale,” he said, adding that BRS would demand a detailed discussion in the Assembly.
Recalling the 2016 GHMC elections, KTR described them as historic and said such a mandate had never been witnessed before.
Phone tapping allegations and SITs are diversion tactics, claims KTR
Addressing allegations of phone tapping, KTR said intelligence mechanisms had existed since the Nehru era and were meant for maintaining internal security.
“Can the Chief Minister categorically say that opposition leaders’ phones are not being tapped?” he asked, questioning why senior officials were not addressing the issue publicly.
He alleged that repeated announcements of SITs and investigations were meant to divert public attention. “What has been achieved through all these probes so far?” he asked.
Sarpanch poll results reflect public anger
KTR said the recent sarpanch election results reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the Congress government.
“Within two years, people have rejected Congress's governance. The results are nothing short of a referendum,” he said, dismissing the ruling party’s debt narrative and asserting that people were aware of official figures and facts.
On political decorum and personal remarks
Commenting on Chief Minister Revanth Reddy meeting KCR in the Assembly, KTR said mutual respect in politics was essential. “As the leader who delivered Telangana, KCR deserves basic courtesy,” he said.
Responding to remarks on beards and moustaches, KTR said personal comments reflected political frustration. “Growing a beard is easy; governing a State is not,” he remarked.
KTR alleged that the Congress government was attempting to divert attention from governance failures through controversies and rhetoric but maintained that people were “clearly seeing through the distractions.”
