Harish Rao Accuses Revanth Reddy Government of Undermining Telangana’s Water Rights

BRS leader and former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Revanth Reddy government, accusing it of betraying Telangana’s river water rights and reversing gains made after Statehood. Addressing a detailed three-hour presentation at Telangana Bhavan, Harish Rao alleged that the government had quietly restored an unfair Krishna water-sharing ratio that disadvantaged Telangana.

He pointed out that despite Telangana accounting for 68 per cent of the Krishna basin, it was allotted only 34 per cent (299 TMCft) of water, while Andhra Pradesh received the remaining 66 per cent. Harish Rao said the BRS government had resisted this formula, but the present regime reinstated it in 2024, effectively surrendering Telangana’s interests.

Refuting claims made by the Chief Minister in the Assembly, he accused Revanth Reddy of misleading the House by selectively quoting official correspondence. He also highlighted irrigation achievements under BRS rule, including the creation and stabilisation of nearly 49 lakh acres of ayacut, Mission Kakatiya’s tank revival, and major clearances in the Godavari basin.

Warning of a renewed people’s movement, Harish Rao said continued silence would amount to complicity in what he described as historic injustice to Telangana.