Congress, BRS spar in Telangana Assembly over Krishna River projects

Hyderabad: Former chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has continued to boycott the present Telangana Assembly Budget Sessions, even in the face of accusations from the Congress government over Bharat Rashtra Samithi handing over Krishna River projects to the Centre.

‘KCR hiding in his farmhouse’

Taking potshots at KCR, chief minister A Revanth Reddy accused KCR of having no respect for the Assembly and the people of Telangana.

“The opposition leader is hiding in his farmhouse and is purposefully skipping the sessions. I’m wondering if the BRS is against the development or if it supports giving the projects to the Centre. What is the reason behind their lack of support for the resolution aimed at safeguarding the state’s interests?” asked the chief minister.

Revanth Reddy said Krishna River waters are the lifeline of Telangana and the people of Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Khammam and other districts are dependent on it. He stated that given the size of the river and its catchment area, the opposition leader ought to have taken part in the discussion and backed the government’s resolution requesting Telangana receive 68 per cent of Krishna River waters.

The chief minister said that KCR’s attendance would have given the right message to the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh and the Central government. KCR’s involvement would have sent a signal that people and political parties are united in support of the state’s justified share in Krishna waters, he added.

Harish Rao attacks Uttam

Countering the presentation by irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on the Krishna River projects in the State Assembly on Monday, former minister T Harish Rao said that the Congress government pulled together a resolution outlining the conditions for handing over Krishna River joint projects to the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) because of BRS.

“It is a BRS victory as we planned to organise ‘Chalo Nalgonda’ public meeting on Tuesday and the Congress government moved a resolution in Assembly that it will not hand over irrigation projects to KRMB,” Harish Rao said and criticised the government for not letting the BRS present its point of view through a PPT in the Assembly.

The former minister claimed that the information provided by the Congress government is false and far from accurate. Harish Rao listed four lies in the government narrative and claimed that although the matter was under appeal Telangana never consented to pass the projects to KRMB at the apex council meeting.

Harish Rao further said that the assertion that the Telangana government never took issue with the notification from the Union government was untrue. He referred to the letter from Rahul Bojja, wherein he mentioned that the Telangana government sought modifications as of July 15, 2021. The Telangana government made it apparent during the 16th KRMB meeting that it would not accept KRMB management unless the operation protocol was determined and approved, he added.

The former minister also said that at the second apex council meeting, Telangana rejected the proposed water share between Telangana and AP. Harish Rao stated that the Telangana government sent 27 letters on this topic to the KRMB and the Union Jalshakti ministry.

Harish Rao Vs Komatireddy

Reacting to comments made by Harish Rao, minister for Roads and Buildings Komatireddy Venkat Reddy accused the BRS of deceiving the people of Nalgonda district during their regime, leading to a clear mandate to Congress in the elections.

“What will be the reaction of KCR in connection with remarks made by Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in the AP Assembly? It is not correct on the part of BRS leaders to blame the Congress even after Jagan’s remarks,” he said.

Komatireddy also alleged that KCR, Harish Rao and former minister T Jagadish Reddy betrayed the people of Nalgonda district and blamed them for the drinking water crisis in the district.

“Jagadish Reddy is not ready to face the House and that’s why he skipped the discussion on irrigation projects. KCR should tender an open apology to the people of Nalgonda district in connection with Krishna water issue and then attend the public meeting in Nalgonda on Tuesday,” he demanded.

In return, Harish Rao said that it is not correct on the part of the Congress to criticise KCR who ruled Telangana for a decade. He demanded that Assembly speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar remove the remarks made by Komatireddy Venkat Reddy from the record and ask for an apology from him. Harish Rao continued his speech after speaker Prasad Kumar announced that he would remove the minister’s comments from the records.