Hyderabad: Former minister Niranjan Reddy on Tuesday accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of facilitating Telangana water diversion to Andhra Pradesh, alleging that the state government was compromising irrigation interests.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, the BRS leader claimed that the Chief Minister was “paying Guru Dakshina” to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu by allowing Telangana water diversion.
He alleged that the Congress government was continuing policies that historically harmed Telangana’s irrigation sector. He said the statehood movement led by K. Chandrashekar Rao had emerged in response to such disparities.
Telangana water diversion allegations over Krishna river sharing
Niranjan Reddy said Andhra Pradesh was violating norms governing Krishna River water sharing under an interim agreement. However, he alleged that the Telangana government remained a “mute spectator” to these developments.
He claimed that Andhra Pradesh had drawn excess water over the past two years. In contrast, he said Telangana’s utilisation remained minimal despite availability.
Moreover, he questioned why the state had not demanded a meeting of the Apex Council. He also criticised delays in operating lift irrigation pumps despite high flood levels in the Krishna River this year.
He further alleged that Andhra Pradesh was carrying out inter-basin transfers to projects such as Handri Neeva and Galeru-Nagari. He added that attempts were being made to divert Godavari waters into the Krishna basin through Banakacherla.
Telangana water diversion concerns raised over farmer impact
Niranjan Reddy said the alleged Telangana water diversion could severely affect farmers. He pointed out that crops in Nalgonda and Palamuru districts were at a crucial stage.
He warned that lack of irrigation at this stage could damage standing crops and affect farmers’ livelihoods. He said the situation required urgent intervention from the state government.
The former minister also criticised Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar for remaining silent. He questioned why they had not intervened despite the Krishna River Management Board being under the Centre’s purview.
In a sharp remark, he asked whether the Chief Minister was “running a government or a circus.” He accused the administration of failing to utilise available water while allowing alleged Telangana water diversion.