Not reducing height of Polavaram project: Andhra CM hits out at TDP over false claim

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy said the height of the Polavaram project will not be reduced and accused TDP of making false claims.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday lashed out at the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) over the Polavaram project. Reddy dismissed claims made by TDP and said no decision was taken to reduce the height of the dam.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said, "It is not the height of the dam, but the height [presence] of TDP that has been reducing after every election and it will be dwarfed in 2024, with Chandrababu Naidu losing in Kuppam."

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TDP has been reduced to 23 seats in the state Assembly after the 2019 elections. The party has also lost in subsequent local body elections.

Winding up a short discussion on Polavaram, the chief minister accused TDP and its 'friendly media' of spreading unverified reports that the height of the dam would be reduced by the government.

Reddy also said that the completion of Polavaram project was delayed due to publicity stunts by the then TDP government. He accused Chandrababu Naidu of wasting government money on numerous inaugurations, foundation stone laying ceremonies and weekly gallery walk on the spillway to make people believe that the project is progressing on time.

"We didn’t even arrange a single tour for the project, but are working hard to meet the deadline," he said.