KCR accuses Congress and BJP of stalling Palamuru project, betraying Telangana
Hyderabad: Former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and BJP, accusing both of betraying Telangana by obstructing the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, delaying water reallocation, and neglecting farmers.
Speaking after a three-hour strategy meeting with BRS legislators and party leaders at Telangana Bhavan, the BRS president announced statewide protests across Palamuru, Rangareddy and Nalgonda districts. “Until now, it was one story. From tomorrow, it will be different,” he declared, signalling his political re-entry through mass mobilisation.
KCR said his government had completed 90% of the Palamuru-Rangareddy project and spent ₹27,000 crore. However, after Congress took charge, no further work took place. He blamed the BJP-led Centre for sending back the project’s DPR to appease TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu, despite all permissions being in place.
He added that Telangana had invoked Section 3 of the Inter-State River Disputes Act to demand revised Krishna river allocations. The Brijesh Kumar Tribunal was now hearing the matter. Telangana, he said, had a rightful claim to at least 90 TMC of water, which could go up to 170 TMC based on revised dependability factors. “We will not beg. We will fight,” he asserted.
KCR pointed out that Andhra Pradesh diverts 80 TMC of Godavari water to the Krishna delta. The Bachawat Tribunal had earlier awarded Telangana 45 TMC in compensation, and the BRS government added another 45 TMC for losses under minor irrigation. The final DPR submitted for the Palamuru project sought 90.81 TMC based on these justifications.
He questioned the silence of the current government. “We obtained environmental clearances and fought legal battles. Now, there is only inaction,” he said.
Telangana’s irrigation claims rooted in Krishna basin geography
KCR explained that Mahabubnagar, Rangareddy and Nalgonda districts lie entirely within the Krishna basin, strengthening Telangana’s claim to the river’s water. Every drop of rainfall in these regions flows into Krishna, making them natural stakeholders.
He highlighted the neglect faced by Mahabubnagar under previous governments. The district, despite the Krishna river flowing through it for over 300 km, did not receive any major irrigation project. Proposals worth 174 TMC — including Upper Krishna, Bheema and Tungabhadra Left Canal — were either cancelled or manipulated. Projects like Devanoor and Ichampalli were shelved, and although the Joorala barrage was built, it lacked functioning canals. “It looked like a project, but no water reached the fields,” he remarked.
He recalled walking from Jogulamba to Gadwal during the Telangana movement to expose how projects like the RDS canal had been sabotaged. After the formation of Telangana, the BRS government revived long-abandoned projects such as Nettempadu, Kalwakurthy and Bheema, which together brought 6.5 lakh acres under cultivation. Mission Kakatiya further strengthened minor irrigation by restoring thousands of tanks.
KCR slams Congress for farm neglect and failed promises
KCR said that 145 MW pumps had been installed and equipment procured from BHEL for the Palamuru project. His government pooled 27,000 acres for the scheme, but progress halted under Congress. He accused the state government of stalling land acquisition and delaying permissions.
He also criticised the return of urea shortages under Congress. “Farmers are once again waiting in queues with slippers to mark their spot,” he said. The newly launched mobile app for fertiliser distribution, he added, was confusing and ineffective. “Three rounds per farmer? No guidance, no clarity,” he said. “It’s poor planning that’s pushing farmers into black markets.”
He further accused Congress of deceiving voters with fake promises. Schemes such as ₹15,000 Rythu Bandhu, ₹2,500 for women, ₹4,000 pensions and gold for brides had not materialised. “They gave 100-day cards and told people to wait till December. What happened?” he asked.
He said bonuses had not been paid, and farmers were being forced to sell to private players at distress prices. Quoting NCRB data, he claimed crime in Telangana had risen by 20%. He cited daylight murders and rising sexual assaults in Hyderabad to argue that law and order had collapsed. “Where is the system? Who can people turn to now?” he asked.
KCR slammed Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s “Future City” plan as a cover for real estate profiteering. “You didn’t build Hyderabad. It is 400 years old — like Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata,” he said. He also alleged a conspiracy to dismantle Pharma City, which he said was carefully planned by BRS using zero-liquid discharge standards, global partnerships and peaceful land acquisition across 14,000 acres.
He claimed that land values had crashed, particularly near highways.
KCR said he would personally lead the state-wide mobilisation effort. “I remained silent for two years. But this situation demands a fight,” he said. Calling upon media, poets, artists and civil society groups, he urged public support to expose what he described as the ongoing betrayal of Telangana. “We will go village to village and hold mass meetings,” he said. “We will fight anyone to protect Telangana’s future.”