Revanth Reddy Challenges KCR to Debate on River Water and Irrigation Projects

Hyderabad, July 9:
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has challenged former CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) to a public debate on river water sharing and irrigation projects, accusing him of compromising the state’s interests during the BRS regime.

Speaking at an event where Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy gave a PowerPoint presentation on Krishna river water issues, Revanth said he is ready for a debate with KCR in the Telangana Assembly or even at KCR’s Erravalli farmhouse, if needed.

"If KCR doesn’t want to come to the Assembly, I’ll go to his farmhouse. He can fix the time and date. I’m ready," Revanth said.

He also responded to KTR’s challenge to debate at the Press Club, saying he prefers Assembly discussions over "clubs and pubs."

Revanth reiterated that KCR’s close ties with former Andhra Pradesh CM Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy caused Telangana to lose its rightful share of Krishna waters. He accused KCR of signing off projects and GOs that benefited Andhra Pradesh while ignoring Telangana’s irrigation needs.

“If water was supplied from Jurala to Palamuru and Rangareddy, AP wouldn't have diverted Krishna water to Rayalaseema,” he added.

He claimed KCR failed to complete a single irrigation project in 10 years, causing great loss to Telangana.

“What KCR did is worse than the injustice Telangana faced in united Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that the Congress government would continue legal and technical efforts to restore Telangana’s water rights. He blamed BRS for engineering failures, poor financial planning, and compromising with Andhra Pradesh.

He also said the Kaleshwaram project barrages will be reconstructed as per NDSA guidelines, adding that changing the original design and shifting the project from Tummidihatti to Medigadda led to massive structural and financial damage.