Revanth challenges KCR to debate over Krishna water allocation in Telangana Assembly

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy challenges KCR for debate on Krishna water dispute, accuses previous government of neglecting State's interests.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy challenged former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), to participate in a discussion on the Krishna River water allocation dispute in the the House.  He accused the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, led by KCR, of failing to safeguard the State’ water interests.  

Replying to Governor Jishnu Dev Varma’s address on the third day of the fifth session (Budget session) of the Telangana Assembly on Saturday (March 15, 2025), Mr. Reddy asserted, “If proven wrong, I am ready to apologise to KCR and the BRS.” He emphasised that his [Congress] government is committed to protecting the State’s rights over Krishna waters. He alleged that during the BRS regime, crucial water resources were mismanaged, benefiting Andhra Pradesh at Telangana’s expense. 

He further accused KCR of prioritising personal gains over State interests, saying, “If Krishna water was drawn from the Jurala project, instead of projects taken up to draw water from the Srisailam project ‘for commissions’, Andhra Pradesh would have knelt before us (Telangana).“ He held KCR responsible for neglecting irrigation projects in the Krishna basin and questioned why the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) and Dindi projects were not completed in a decade. 

“Wasn’t it KCR who signed away 299 TMC water to Andhra Pradesh, betraying Telangana’s farmers?” he asked. Mr. Reddy added that the consent given to the Centre by the BRS government in 2021 would have sounded the death knell for Telangana if he and his Cabinet colleagues had not convinced the Union Government to review the water allocation agreements between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The Chief Minister also criticised KCR’s leadership, alleging that he barely attended Assembly sessions. “KCR has attended meetings only twice in 15 months. He took government salaries and allowances while abandoning the people,” he remarked. He further accused KCR’s family of exploiting the State’s resources. 

Mr. Reddy highlighted his government’s commitment to constitutional values and transparency. He criticised the previous BRS regime for disrespecting the Governor, pointing out that in 2022, budget session were held without the Governor’s address. “This is a people’s government. We respect the constitutional system,” he said. 

Speaking about the agricultural sector, the Chief Minister emphasised the Congress government’s farmer-friendly policies, highlighting the waiver of ₹20,616.89 crore in crop loans, increased insurance coverage, and direct financial aid to farmers. “Farmers harvested 1.56 crore metric tonnes of paddy even without Kaleshwaram,” he pointed out. He also assured that all farmers would receive Rythu Bharosa assistance by the end of March.