- Calls for United Front beyond politics in the all-party MPs meet n  Revanth Reddy to Chandrababu: NoCs first, Banakacharla later  n Blames KCR for present state of affairs

■   Revanth urges Chandrababu to issue NoCs for Telangana’s use of 500 TMC of Krishna and 1000 TMC of Godavari water, asserting that only then can Banakacharla be considered

■   Revanth warns against overreliance on central influence, stating that clearances from Delhi alone cannot override Telangana’s water rights.

■   All-party MPs meeting held to form a united strategy against AP’s Polavaram–Banakacharla link project; CM calls for unity beyond party lines

■   Blames previous BRS regime for laying the foundation for water diversion to Rayalaseema; cites 2016 Apex Council and 2019 meetings between KCR and Jagan.

■   Telangana to pursue legal and political battles if its water entitlements are threatened; Revanth and Uttam visiting New Delhi on Thursday to file a complaint with Jal Shakti Minister again

metro india news  I hyderabad

The Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy issued a strong appeal to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, urging him to extend No Objection Certificates (NoCs) for the utilization of 500 TMC of Krishna water and 1000 TMC of Godavari water. CM Revanth emphasized that such clearances would eliminate Telangana’s opposition to the Banakacharla Lift Irrigation Project.

Addressing the media after the conclusion of the all-party meeting with Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs from Telangana at Secretariat to decide on future course of action to oppose AP's Polavaram-Banakacharla link project, Revanth stated that unless mutual understanding is reached and Telangana’s rightful share in water resources is protected, the state will not hesitate to assert its claims through legal and political avenues. “We will not compromise on our rights. We know how to protect our interests and will fight, if necessary, even at the Centre,” CM Revanth said.

He further cautioned CM Chandrababu not to assume that all project approvals can be secured solely based on influence at the Centre. CM Revanth reiterated Telangana’s stand that Banakacharla cannot proceed without addressing water-sharing concerns, especially as Telangana projects remain underutilized due to insufficient flows.

The Chief Minister also commented on the alliance between the BJP and TDP, noting that both leaders — Prime Minister Modi and CM Chandrababu — depend on each other. Despite this, he stressed that Telangana will continue to resist any move that undermines its water entitlements.

Telangana's Farmers first, not Political Gains

The Telangana government convened a crucial all-party MPs meeting at the Secretariat to discuss the contentious Banakacharla project, emphasizing that the state’s agricultural interests are paramount and not subject to political compromise. All Congress MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, BJP MPs DK Aruna and M Raghunandan Rao, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, BRS Rajya Sabha MP V Ravichandra attended the meet. The BRS MP staged a walk-out of the meeting when Revanth pinned blame on KCR for AP's present plans to harm Telangana's interests through the Banakacharla project.

CM Revanth Reddy made it clear that the state government’s stance on Banakacharla is rooted in protecting Telangana's irrigation and farmers’ rights. “This meeting was not called for political mileage, but to protect the state’s rightful share in river waters,” he said. “We must move beyond politics and work collectively to ensure justice for Telangana. If a political fight doesn’t bring justice, we are ready for a legal battle.”

He referenced the 2016 Apex Council meeting, where then CM KCR proposed that 3,000 TMCs of Godavari water were flowing into the sea. That very proposal, Revanth said, laid the foundation for water diversion to Rayalaseema, with Harish Rao also present at the meeting. KCR’s past decisions now haunting Telangana Revanth accused the previous BRS government of paving the way for Andhra Pradesh’s current efforts on Banakacharla by endorsing water transfers to Rayalaseema.

“In 2016 in the Apex Council meeting held in New Delhi, the then CM KCR stressed that 3000 TMC of Godavari water was going waste which can be utilised. This has sown the seed for AP's plans to divert water from Godavari river to Krishna basin. In 2019, KCR met Jagan four times at Pragathi Bhavan and agreed to divert Godavari waters to Rayalaseema. Then Ministers Etela Rajender and Buggana Rajendranath openly confirmed this in press meets,” he said.

“Now Andhra Pradesh is using the 2016 meeting minutes as a reference to justify Banakacharla. We are ready to share all official documents that prove this.” He further criticized Harish Rao’s recent comments and said:

“Throwing mud at us won’t wash away your sins. Your own leader — your father-in-law — was the architect of this betrayal. These are the consequences of KCR’s decisions.” “Telangana will not back down – Will fight Technically, Politically and Legally” “We have already approached the Jal Shakti Ministry with a formal complaint. If justice isn’t done through dialogue, we will approach the courts. Telangana has followed every process and will continue to do so.”

He also raised questions over Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy’s sudden meeting with the Union Jal Shakti Minister. “When we announced that we would meet the central minister on Thursday, why did Kishan Reddy rush to meet the Jal Shakti minister today (Wednesday)? What is the hidden agenda behind this?” “This is a matter beyond politics. I appeal to everyone to come together and speak with one voice for Telangana.”