Cong committing historic betrayal of Telangana’s water rights: Harish Rao

Hyderabad: Former minister and BRS MLA T Harish Rao vehemently criticised the allegations made by the Congress party, charging it with both historical and ongoing betrayal concerning the river water rights of Telangana, particularly in relation to the Krishna River basin. Harish Rao contended that the Congress government, led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, was yielding to its Andhra leaders and was systematically jeopardising the future of Telangana.

During a PowerPoint presentation titled “River Waters and Congress Betrayals” at Telangana Bhavan on Sunday, the BRS leader asserted that the Congress party was responsible for inflicting irreversible damage on Telangana and its people during the period of undivided Andhra Pradesh concerning their water rights. He noted that, despite 68 per cent of the Krishna River basin being situated in Telangana, the state was allocated an inequitable 34 percent (299 TMCft) of the water, whereas Andhra Pradesh, which encompasses only 32 percent, was granted 66 percent (512 TMCft).

Harish Rao characterised this inequitable 66:34 allocation as a legacy of Congress, established even prior to the bifurcation of the state. He stated that while the previous BRS government contested this allocation, the current Congress administration reinstated it through intentional policy decisions, thereby subjecting Telangana to prolonged droughts, migration, and distress among farmers.