The Telangana Legislative Assembly is witnessing heightened political tension as the ruling Congress government and the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) prepare for an intense face off, primarily over water resources, irrigation projects and the state’s development priorities.
Government’s Stand
The Congress government, led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, has launched a strong attack on the previous BRS regime’s handling of major irrigation projects. The focus is largely on the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS). The government alleges that the earlier decision to shift the project’s water intake point caused a sharp increase in costs and weakened Telangana’s water interests.
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has accused the former government of making policy mistakes that, according to the current administration, compromised water availability and long term planning. The ruling party has indicated that these decisions will be thoroughly debated in the Assembly, with the possibility of further scrutiny or inquiry.
BRS Response
The BRS, led by senior leaders including K. T. Rama Rao (KTR), has strongly rejected the allegations. The party maintains that its decisions on irrigation and water management were taken in the best interests of the state and resulted in significant expansion of irrigation infrastructure during its tenure.
BRS leaders have demanded equal opportunity in the Assembly to present their version of facts and data, insisting that the opposition should be allowed to explain its policies and achievements in detail. They have accused the government of politicising water issues and misrepresenting past decisions.
Key Issues in Debate
The Assembly debate is expected to revolve around:
- Management and allocation of water resources
- Irrigation project planning and execution
- Inter state river water concerns
- Overall governance and development priorities
- Fairness and transparency in Assembly proceedings
Political observers say the clash reflects deeper differences between the two parties on how Telangana’s resources should be managed and what the state’s long term development path should be. The outcome of these debates is likely to shape public discourse and political narratives in the coming months.
