TG govt mum as AP diverts Godavari waters, alleges Harish
Hyderabad: Former Minister Harish Rao on Saturday exposed the Andhra Pradesh government's attempt to divert Godavari waters through the proposed Banakacherla project. At the same time, the BRS leader accused the Congress-led Telangana government of remaining silent despite this large-scale threat to the State's water interests. Addressing a press conference with a detailed PowerPoint presentation, Rao said, 'Andhra Pradesh is now eyeing Godavari waters through the Banakacherla link. While Andhra is pushing ahead with tenders for this project, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy have chosen silence.' He criticised the Congress government for focusing more on political vendetta than public welfare. 'They are busy filing false cases against KTR and BRS leaders. There is irritation towards the Opposition, but no attention to irrigation,' Rao said. 'Sadly, the state's interests are being mortgaged for the sake of political power,' he alleged.
Rao questioned the government's inaction even as Andhra Pradesh is openly exceeding the limits set under the temporary Krishna agreement. 'Why this silence when AP is moving ahead with a project that could divert over 200 TMC of water from the Godavari? When Telangana's share is at stake, the Congress government remains mute.' He also reminded that Telangana has eight BJP MPs, eight Congress MPs, and two Union Ministers, yet no one is raising their voice. 'Is their loyalty to Delhi more important than their responsibility to Telangana?' Rao asked. He alleged that Revanth Reddy was compromising State interests to protect his friendship with Chandrababu Naidu. He also pointed to Union Minister Bandi Sanjay's recent statement in Andhra Pradesh that the Centre gave Andhra ten times more funds than Telangana. In a strong response to Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on the Banakacherla issue, Harish said that writing letters was not enough. 'If the Minister is serious, he should ask the Chief Minister to demand an Apex Council meeting on Banakacherla. That is what the people of Telangana are expecting.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
BJP sending Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini to divide society in Punjab, says LoP Partap Singh Bajwa
Chandigarh: Punjab leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa on Sunday accused BJP of "attempting to create divisions within Punjab's society by sending Nayab Singh Saini to campaign in Ludhiana". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bajwa said Saini's very presence in Punjab was "a cruel reminder of BJP's anti-Punjab policies and its continued efforts to weaken the state's unity". Condemning Saini for his "repeated attacks on Punjab and its people ever since assuming power in Haryana", Bajwa, in a written statement, said, "The people of Punjab have not forgotten the tragedy in which Haryana Police fired upon peaceful farmers protesting for their legitimate rights. " The Congress leader also highlighted "the killing of 22-year-old farmer Shubhkaran Singh, who was shot by Haryana police while protesting at Khanauri (Punjab-Haryana border) in February 2024." He said BJP, through leaders like Saini, made several attempts to snatch Punjab's waters, ignoring the legal, historical, and moral rights of Punjabis. "Such moves directly attack the livelihood of our farmers and the very backbone of Punjab's economy," he said. Accusing Saini of "politicising" the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) water-sharing issue, Bajwa stated, "Saini brazenly accused Punjab of denying Haryana even drinking water. "
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Stay connected with grassroots workers: Union min Yadav advises MP BJP leaders
Bhopal: Union minister Bhupender Yadav has advised BJP MPs and MLAs to speak less to avoid controversies. During the second day of the BJP MPs and MLAs training camp in Pachmarhi, the Union minister for environment and forests emphasised that it is not necessary to react to every event. He also advised the party leaders to stay connected with the party workers at grassroots level. Yadav advised the 201 trainees at the camp to speak less, hinting at the controversy following minister for tribal affairs Vijay Shah's May 11 remark on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, which dented the party's image after Operation Sindoor. Bhupender Yadav stated that sometimes it is better politics to remain calm and avoid giving statements. "It is better to remain silent. Giving a reaction to every incident can prove damaging. About 90% of damage in politics happens because of giving excessive reactions," Yadav added. Union minister Amit Shah, while inaugurating the three-day training camp on Saturday, also cautioned against repeating the mistake made by Vijay Shah. The Union home minister advised people's representatives and functionaries of BJP to think before speaking. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo In another session, state BJP in-charge Dr Mahendra Singh advised MPs and MLAs not to ignore party workers. Party MLAs were given guidelines on the management of their assembly seats. During discussions on each of the assembly segments, the gathering was specifically told not to underestimate or neglect the ground workers of the party. Dr Mahendra Singh categorically mentioned that workers make MPs and MLAs, and it is on their hard work that govts are formed, so they should not feel mistreated or ignored. BJP legislators and Parliamentarians from the state were reminded that eight generations of BJP workers struggled to take the party to where it is today. The struggle through the decades from Jan Sangh to BJP is the reason behind them receiving respect as MLAs and MPs. Although the next assembly election is in 2028, discussions were held as though the polls are just around the corner. Sources indicated that deliberations focused on the 82 scheduled caste and scheduled tribe reserved seats in the state. The state has 47 tribal reserved seats and 35 scheduled caste reserved seats, of which 50 are currently with the BJP. Guidelines were provided on how to retain the BJP's vote bank in these assembly seats. BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde conducted a special session on social media, advising trainees not to share or post sensitive and controversial material that could harm the party's image. Speaking to reporters, Minister for Renewable Energy Rakesh Shukla said, "Everyone is getting a lot to learn, as there is new technology these days. We are being given detailed information about how we are to use technology. For the last two days, we have been given guidelines. A lot of useful deliberations." Party MLA from Suwasra assembly seat, Hardeep Singh Dang, commented, "Here in the training session, all are the same. No one is a big leader here; all are being trained. Despite being in power and winning the elections, there are still some shortcomings. How can we improve ourselves? The more we improve ourselves, the more we shine. These sessions are for our improvement; it is a lifetime experience."
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
BJP to launch caste census campaign
Lucknow: The proposed caste enumeration exercise scheduled alongside the national Census in 2027 is set to become the centrepiece of an elaborate ground-level campaign which the BJP plans to undertake in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh. The initiative, sources said, will aim to bolster the party's support among the Other Backward Classes (OBC) ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections. Party leaders were directed to initiate dialogues with various OBC communities to inform them about the anticipated benefits of caste-based enumeration. These include the collection of data to enable targeted welfare programmes, identification of disparities in resource distribution and improved policymaking on affirmative action. Experts say the data will also provide deeper insight into the state's social structure and help promote inclusivity and equality. UP backward class welfare minister and state party chief of OBC Morcha, Narendra Kashyap, told TOI that the campaign, which will be carried out for at least a year, would reach out to all OBC sub-castes which have otherwise remained deprived of privileges, including reservation benefits. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "The party will hold chaupals and workshops to reach out to the OBC communities," Kashyap said. The use of chaupals and workshops, analysts said, potentially suggests a bottom-up approach, with the BJP's bid to build narratives not just from above but by directly engaging with marginalised – but electorally significant – OBC communities at the grassroots level. The caste census has been a major demand of several opposition parties, essentially the Samajwadi Party and Congress. In fact, the SP's Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak (PDA) campaign — centred on caste census and social justice — is widely said to have dented the BJP while reducing its tally in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Experts said that by initiating its own campaign, the BJP aims to reposition itself on the issue to avoid ceding any political ground in the run-up to the panchayat elections due next year and subsequently the 2027 UP polls. The party also aims to reconnect with OBC communities, many of which have traditionally aligned with regional players like the SP and the Mayawati-led BSP. Experts suggest that the BJP will seek to steer the caste census narrative toward development and national integration. This includes showcasing its existing welfare schemes for backward castes and linking the census with its broader governance agenda. BJP, as a matter of fact, has also been wheeling out a sharp OBC narrative by invoking historical figures from the backward class communities – most recently, Maharaja Suhaildev and Ahilyabai Holkar. Meanwhile, the opposition is also pulling up socks to make deeper inroads among the OBC communities. After making an effective presence as an ally of the Samajwadi Party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party plans to go the extra mile in wooing the OBC. Congress plans to hold 'Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan' in every district from June 14 to July 15.
