Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Former Minister Harish Rao strongly condemned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s recent remarks on Telangana’s irrigation projects, calling them a blatant attempt to mislead the public. Addressing a press conference in Siddipet, Harish Rao exposed Chandrababu’s contradictory stance on the Kaleshwaram project, revealing that Naidu himself had officially opposed it in a letter to the Centre on June 13, 2018.

Harish Rao pointed out that this was not the first time Telangana’s irrigation projects have faced obstruction from Chandrababu. He recalled how Naidu had previously opposed projects like Kalwakurthy, Palamuru-Rangareddy, and Dindi lift irrigation schemes, despite their inception before bifurcation. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh is now attempting to divert 200 TMC of Godavari water to the Penna basin, through Banakacharla project, without securing proper clearances, exposing Naidu’s double standards.

Harish Rao also refuted Chandrababu’s claim of treating Andhra Pradesh and Telangana equally, citing the unfair distribution of Krishna river water. While Andhra Pradesh, temporarily allocated 512 TMC, has already utilized 655 TMC, Telangana, entitled to 343 TMC, has received only 220 TMC. He accused Chandrababu of using his influence with the BJP-led Centre to suppress Telangana’s rightful claims, leading to severe water distress in the state. The diversion of water from Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam is affecting Hyderabad’s drinking water supply and irrigation needs in Mahabubnagar district.

Criticizing Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for his inaction, Harish Rao said despite having multiple MPs and Union Ministers, Telangana’s leadership has failed to confront the injustice. He accused Revanth of being fearful in Delhi and loyal to Chandrababu, failing to stand up for the state’s interests.

Harish Rao demanded that if Chandrababu genuinely believes in justice, he should immediately withdraw Andhra Pradesh’s objections to Telangana projects, including Sitarama Sagar, Sammakka Sagar, Palamuru, and Dindi. He also called out Naidu for selectively lobbying the Centre for Andhra Pradesh’s interests while ignoring Telangana’s concerns, proving that his "two-eyes" policy was nothing but a sham.