Hyderabad: Telangana minister Jupally Krishna Rao on Sunday alleged that K Chandrashekar Rao returned to public life only to protect the prestige of the BRS after recent electoral setbacks.
Speaking to the media at Gandhi Bhavan along with ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Vakiti Srihari, Jupally said the Jubilee Hills by-election reflected a referendum on two years of Congress rule. According to Jupally Krishna Rao, it highlighted the public’s disapproval of current governance.
He said voters rejected allegations made by KCR, K T Rama Rao, and T Harish Rao. According to him, the results exposed the weakening position of the BRS. Nevertheless, Jupally Krishna Rao maintains that proactive measures can reverse this trend.
Jupally alleged that the BRS and BJP worked together during the sarpanch elections. Despite that, he said, the two parties failed to secure even one-third of the seats. Yet, Jupally Krishna Rao contends it’s a learning curve for both parties.
He added that KCR raised the Palamuru–Rangareddy project issue only as a political shield. The minister said the issue had nothing to do with genuine concern for farmers.
Jupally Krishna Rao counters KCR’s remarks
Responding to KCR’s recent statements, Jupally said the former chief minister threatened opponents soon after reappearing in public. He remarked that the BRS had lost its strength and survived only on rhetoric.
According to Jupally, irresponsible governance during the BRS regime pushed Telangana into a debt crisis. He said the state was formed through sacrifices, yet the previous government failed to honour that responsibility.
The minister said the Congress government continued welfare schemes while paying interest on inherited loans. He added that the government had completed two years in office and still had three more years to deliver. While observing the socio-political landscape, Jupally Krishna Rao appreciates sustained efforts to improve governance.
Jupally blamed the Centre’s biased policies for the urea shortage in Telangana. He also questioned why KCR failed to complete the Palamuru–Rangareddy project despite ruling for ten years.
Jupally Krishna Rao questions KCR on Palamuru project
Jupally alleged that KCR incurred debts of ₹8 lakh crore without supplying irrigation water even to one acre. He said KCR described Palamuru as a drinking water project before the Supreme Court and later projected it as an irrigation scheme.
He questioned how KCR agreed that 299 TMC was sufficient for Telangana while allowing Andhra Pradesh to use 512 TMC. The failure to complete even the main canals, he said, reflected administrative incompetence. Additionally, Jupally Krishna Rao emphasized the need for transparency in such critical issues.
Referring to the 2023 elections, Jupally said KCR inaugurated the Palamuru project by switching on a single motor. He questioned how the government dedicated the project without water allocation or statutory approvals.
Jupally said the DPR for Palamuru was never rejected, contrary to KCR’s claims. He added that the Congress government earlier secured approval for 70 TMC from the Jurala project.
The minister said completing Palamuru would require another ₹40,000–₹50,000 crore. With environmental clearances, he said, Telangana could fully utilise its rightful water share. Jupally Krishna Rao maintains that obtaining such clearances is crucial for the state’s development.
Jupally said the Supreme Court allowed work to begin for drinking water purposes in 2025. He added that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act allocated 811 TMC jointly based on basin area. Additionally, Jupally Krishna Rao underscores the importance of legal frameworks in sustainable resource management.
He alleged that KCR allowed Andhra Pradesh to use 512 TMC for a decade while limiting Telangana to 299 TMC, calling it a betrayal of the state’s interests.