Hyderabad: BRS leader T. Harish Rao on Tuesday accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of betraying Telangana’s water rights by enabling Andhra Pradesh’s plans to divert Godavari river waters through the Nallamala Sagar project.
Speaking at Telangana Bhavan, Rao alleged that Andhra Pradesh had shifted its diversion strategy from the proposed Banakacherla project to Nallamala Sagar to escape legal scrutiny. He claimed that the outcome would still damage Telangana’s water share and warned that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was acting under the influence of Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu.
BRS warns of backdoor moves to bypass Godavari tribunal award
Describing Revanth Reddy as “a puppet” of Naidu, Rao said, “The sword belongs to Chandrababu, but the one stabbing Telangana is Revanth Reddy.” He questioned whether the CM was offering “Guru Dakshina” to his former political mentor.
Rao said the BRS first exposed the Banakacherla project threat and that the government only reacted under opposition pressure. He accused Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy of issuing backdated letters to hide lapses. Despite public statements opposing the project, the minister attended a Delhi meeting and signed key documents, Rao added.
He said BRS revealed that Banakacherla was indeed on the meeting agenda, countering government claims. Andhra Pradesh’s irrigation minister later confirmed a committee was formed to take the plan forward.
According to Rao, AP avoided linking the diversion to Polavaram to escape the 45:21:14 Godavari tribunal sharing ratio among Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. Instead, by routing water to the Penna basin, Andhra Pradesh aims to block Telangana’s rightful claim.
He noted that both Karnataka and Maharashtra opposed the move. Karnataka warned it would retain 112 TMC of Krishna waters if AP diverted 423 TMC. Maharashtra also demanded a share of floodwaters and threatened to withhold 74 TMC flowing into the Krishna basin.
Rao criticised the Telangana government for appointing Adityanath Das as a state advisor. He said Das, during his tenure as Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary, had opposed Telangana’s irrigation projects and supported Polavaram and Rayalaseema lift schemes. “Appointing him is like giving locker keys to a thief,” Rao said.
He also questioned the government’s legal response. Telangana filed a court case only on December 16 — after Andhra Pradesh’s tender process ended. Rao said forming a joint committee on December 23 weakened Telangana’s case by implying administrative resolution. The Central Water Commission granted diversion clearance just 15 days after the Delhi meeting.
Rao demanded the removal of Adityanath Das and three other Andhra Pradesh-origin officials from the committee. He challenged the CM to pass a resolution in the Assembly opposing the Godavari–Nallamala link and to protest alongside BRS in Delhi.