Former Irrigation Minister and Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao, in a press conference, used a presentation to explain BRS’s concerns that the project could negatively impact Telangana’s water interests
Published Jun 14, 2025 | 8:55 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 14, 2025 | 8:55 PM
Banakacharla tangle: Telangana government to take legal recourse to restrain Andhra Pradesh from going ahead with project
Synopsis: The Banakacherla Link Project in Andhra Pradesh has triggered political tensions with Telangana. BRS leader T Harish Rao warned the project could harm Telangana’s water interests, urging the Congress-led government to take a strong stance. He offered cross-party cooperation to oppose it, including a joint Assembly resolution or coordinated efforts in Delhi, as Andhra Pradesh moves toward inviting tenders this month
The Banakacherla Link Project in Andhra Pradesh has sparked renewed political friction between the two Telugu states. With Andhra Pradesh reportedly preparing to invite tenders for the project by the end of the month, Telangana’s opposition party, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has raised strong objections.
Former Telangana Irrigation Minister and Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao addressed a press conference to voice his party’s concerns. Using a presentation, he outlined why the BRS believes the project could adversely affect Telangana’s water interests.
Harish called on the ruling Congress government in Telangana to take a firm stand on the issue. He stated that the BRS is willing to work with the Congress to oppose the project, including passing a unanimous resolution in the Assembly or jointly raising the matter in Delhi.
“The BJP did not support Telangana’s projects in spirit or in action,” Harish Rao loathed. “However, not only have they given the Polavaram Project national status, they are also releasing funds for the illegal Banakacherla Project,” he alleged.
“Delhi has an attitude of treasures and rivers for Andhra, zero for Telangana. Despite this, the Telangana BJP and the two Union Ministers are silent,” he lamented.
“Why are you silent despite Andhra Pradesh inviting tenders in the project towards the month’s end?” he questioned Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
“BRS is ready to support the Congress no matter how they plan to fight the Banakacherla Project,” Harish reassured.
“We are ready to come to Delhi with you to fight for our rights. We are ready to pass a unanimous resolution in the Assembly. However, if you fail to do anything, we will have to take the fight forward by ourselves,” he asserted.
“Chandrababu Naidu is lying. He is stating that they are only using Godavari flood waters when that’s not true,” he alleged.
Harish Rao slammed the Telangana BJP for remaining quiet on the issue
Elaborating on the “lies” of Chandrababu Naidu, Harish Rao said that the TDP Supremo claimed to have never opposed a project in Telangana.
“That is a complete lie,” Harish said. He recalled the various projects the Naidu opposed in Telangana, including the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project among others. “When their Chief Minister can openly oppose a project despite its legitimacy, why can’t Revanth Reddy?” he questioned.
He further alleged that there was a deeper conspiracy afoot. “Naidu is in a rush to start building the Banakacherla Project to try and circumvent any ruling that may arise from the Godavari Tribunal,” he alleged. “If they tell the Tribunal that they already invested huge amounts of money and are irrigating a part of the land, they can use riparian rights to shortchange Telangana,” he cautioned.
Referring to the sharing of Krishna’s water, Harish took the opportunity to slam Revanth Reddy again. “Telangana can claim about 157 TMC of Krishna’s waters. Why does Revanth Reddy choose to remain quiet and not stand up for our water rights? Is he scared, or is it a form of Guru Dakshina?” He lamented, referring to Revanth’s close ties with Naidu.
He asserted that receiving this water could help establish multiple projects, whether in Kalwakurthy or Palamuru.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
