Telangana, coastal Andhra Pradesh fight over water

Hyderabad: The state government’s decision to release water to Krishna delta from dead storage of Nagarjunasagar Project (NSP) has triggered a water war between Telangana and coastal Andhra regions. The war is likely to intensify further since TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is planning a mahadharna in Hyderabad on Monday on farmers’ issues. The TRS has already demanded that Naidu should spell out his stand on release of water to Krishna delta.

The belligerent postures could not have come at a worse time since the TDP is trying to salvage its image by organising a dharna in support of issues relating to farmers after being mauled in the recent byelections. As Naidu was preparing for the dharna, the water issue broke out as soon as major and medium irrigation minister P Sudharshan Reddy made an announcement of releasing water to Krishna delta to help farmers raise nurseries.

TRS and several Congress leaders of the Telangana region took objection to the state government releasing water without considering the fact that people in Telangana (Nalgonda district) were finding it difficult to have drinking water. TRS leader and MLA T Harish Rao said that his party was not against release of water to Krishna delta but the decision would create water scarcity in Telangana region. The government’s decision was against the principles of neutral justice, he said.

The war is likely to intensify further since TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is planning a mahadharna on Monday.

“Why are Chandrababu Naidu and YSRCP honorary president YS Vijayamma maintaining silence on this issue? Do they have any problem in hearing the cries of Telangana people for water? Or are they thinking that they are representatives of Seemandhra region?” the TRS leader said. He wondered why TDP leaders like Mothukupalli Narsimulu and E Dayakar Rao were silent on the issue. He also expressed his annoyance at panchayat raj minister K Jana Reddy, who was oblivious to the problem.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)