Ready to hold debate in Assembly on Krishna, Godavari river waters if KCR participates: CM Revanth

Hyderabad: Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed willingness to hold an extensive debate in the Legislative Assembly on Krishna and Godavari river waters, even allotting two days each if required

He, however, hastened to add that if Opposition leader K Chandrashekar Rao agrees to participate in the discussions, the Assembly session can be convened from January 2 itself.

Speaking informally to media persons at his residence, the Chief Minister said the government was eager for a face-to-face discussion in the House on facts, figures, and responsibilities related to river water sharing and irrigation projects.

Ready for Assembly Debate from January 2

Revanth Reddy said that even if KCR does not explicitly commit to attending the House on January 2, the Cabinet would soon meet to finalise dates for the winter session of the Assembly in January. He appealed to KCR to attend the Legislature and raise public issues instead of limiting himself to public meetings.

“We are inviting KCR to come to the Assembly as a responsible Opposition leader and participate in debates. Ensuring his dignity and respect in the House is our responsibility. If anyone behaves in a manner that undermines his stature, we will request the Speaker to take action,” the Chief Minister said.

He added that any constructive suggestions made by KCR, drawing on his experience, would be accepted by the government in the interest of the State.

‘Let facts on water sharing be debated’

Revanth Reddy said the Assembly was the right platform to debate “who did what” on Krishna and Godavari waters. He ruled out debates with “surrogates” of KCR, stating that the BRS must decide whether someone who avoids the Assembly should continue as Opposition leader.

The Chief Minister took a swipe at KCR, remarking that his renewed political enthusiasm emerged only after recent electoral developments and after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly enquired about his health from BRS MPs.

Centre engagement aimed at reducing debt burden

Explaining his visits to New Delhi, Revanth Reddy said they were aimed solely at securing approvals from the Union government for financial relief. He said the Centre had permitted restructuring of ₹26,000 crore loans raised earlier at high interest rates.

He added that he had recently requested Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to allow refinancing of another Rs 85,000 crore borrowed at high interest. “If we replace high-interest loans with cheaper credit, the State can save nearly Rs 4,000 crore annually,” he said.

Revanth alleged that during KCR’s tenure, Telangana’s debt ballooned to Rs 8.11 lakh crore due to borrowings at interest rates as high as 12 per cent, severely damaging the State’s finances.

Sharp Attack on KCR and BRS Leadership

The Chief Minister launched a sharp personal and political attack on KCR, alleging internal family conflicts and power struggles within the BRS.

Revanth Reddy claimed that fear of losing control over the party and its assets had forced KCR to re-enter active politics. He contrasted his government’s welfare initiatives with what he termed “family-centric politics” in the BRS.

‘Irreparable injustice to Telangana under KCR’

Revanth Reddy alleged that Telangana suffered greater injustice during KCR’s rule than even during the united Andhra Pradesh period, particularly on Krishna river water sharing. He accused KCR of agreeing to limit Telangana’s share to 299 TMC, thereby harming districts like Palamuru, Nalgonda, and Khammam.

He further alleged that KCR ignored Andhra Pradesh projects such as Pothireddypadu and Muchumarri and even praised projects like Pattiseema, facilitating the diversion of Godavari waters. “We will screen those Assembly videos in every BRS public meeting,” he said.

Projects incomplete despite massive spending

The Chief Minister said that although the previous BRS government spent nearly Rs 2 lakh crore on irrigation projects and paid bills worth Rs 1.8 lakh crore, it failed to complete key projects such as SLBC, Dindi, Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Bhima, and Palamuru–Rangareddy in ten years.

“If these projects had been completed, Telangana could have utilised more Krishna waters,” he said, adding that the present Congress government has already spent Rs 6,800 crore on Palamuru projects alone.

Allegations of commissions and faulty DPRs

Revanth Reddy alleged that faulty DPRs prepared under the BRS regime led to the Centre returning proposals related to Palamuru–Rangareddy. He accused KCR of compromising Telangana’s interests by agreeing to a 64:36 water-sharing ratio in favour of Andhra Pradesh.

He asserted that the present government is fighting for a 71 per cent share in Krishna basin waters, based on basin parameters, and said KCR had never even demanded a 50 per cent share.

Uttam Kumar Reddy slams KCR on Irrigation, Water Rights

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy backed Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s allegations, stating that Telangana suffered irreversible damage to its water rights during K Chandrashekar Rao’s decade-long rule.

Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat, Uttam said Rs 1.81 lakh crore was spent on irrigation projects without adding a single acre of new ayacut. He alleged that Rs 88,000 crore was raised as loans, burdening the current government with nearly Rs 16,000 crore annually in interest and repayments.

Palamuru–Rangareddy near completion

Dismissing KCR’s claims as “blatant lies,” Uttam said Rs 27,000 crore was earlier spent on Palamuru–Rangareddy without supplying water to any acre. “In just two years, we spent Rs 7,000 crore and will complete the project within three months,” he asserted. He added that DPRs were returned by the Centre in April 2023, when KCR was still in office.

Firm stand on Krishna, Godavari waters

Uttam reiterated that Telangana would not give up “even a drop” of Krishna or Godavari water. He said the State is demanding 500 TMC from Krishna, stalled the Polavaram–Banakacherla proposal, and moved the Supreme Court against the Nallamala Sagar project.

Rejecting allegations of BJP collusion, he accused KCR of hypocrisy, citing his past proximity to the BJP during presidential and vice-presidential elections.