Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s remarks defending the Banakacherla project triggered sharp reactions in Telangana on Thursday, with critics recalling his past efforts to stall irrigation works in the state.
Addressing the media at Kuppam, Naidu dismissed concerns raised over Banakacherla, terming them needless and reiterating that using surplus Godavari waters should not be an issue. He suggested both Telugu states could share around 200 TMC of water otherwise lost to the sea, benefiting farmers and solving water disputes.
Naidu insisted he had never opposed Telangana’s irrigation projects nor spoken against them, a stance that drew comparisons from his detractors to “a cat going on a pilgrimage after eating a thousand rats.” Telangana voices slammed Naidu for trying to whitewash his record, pointing out how he had lobbied with the Centre to block or delay Kaleshwaram, Palamuru, and Dindi projects in the early days of Telangana’s statehood.
Activists argued that Naidu’s new conciliatory tone ignored the damage caused by his previous complaints, which they say hampered irrigation development when Telangana needed it most.
Meanwhile, sources indicated the Central Water Commission is working to convene a special meeting soon with both state governments to discuss the Polavaram-Banakacherla project and related water-sharing issues.
