Hyderabad: Allegations of Negligence in Water Rights Case
Former Minister and Deputy Floor Leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in the Telangana Assembly, T. Harish Rao, has made serious accusations regarding the Congress government’s handling of the legal battles surrounding the Godavari–Banakacherla Project. He claims that the state government has intentionally undermined Telangana’s legal efforts, thus jeopardizing the region’s water interests.
During a press conference held in Sangareddy on Monday, Rao pointed out that the Supreme Court’s observations in a case related to the Andhra Pradesh project highlighted the government’s lack of commitment to safeguarding Telangana’s rights. He contended that while Andhra Pradesh actively pursued the Banakacherla project, the Telangana government was passively facilitating its progress instead of mounting a robust defense.
Issues with Legal Representation
Rao criticized the Telangana government’s litigation strategy, emphasizing that the Supreme Court dismissed the state’s suit and made troubling remarks regarding its formulation. “How could such a flawed suit involving Telangana’s water rights be submitted?” he queried. He added that the Supreme Court’s observations indicated the suit was inadequately drafted and suggested that such negligence could not have occurred without the Chief Minister’s knowledge.
He further questioned the roles of the Advocate General and the legal team, asking why they failed to present a compelling case despite having ample time to prepare for the proceedings.
Focus on Political Rivalry
Rao accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of prioritizing political attacks on the BRS over the protection of Telangana’s interests, noting that an earlier writ petition filed by the government had already been rejected by the Supreme Court. He confirmed that the BRS is committed to defending the state’s water rights.
Delayed Legal Action
On the timeline of events, Rao highlighted that tenders for the Godavari–Nallamala Sagar (Banakacherla) project were finalized on December 11, 2025. However, the Telangana government only approached the court on December 16, 2025, after significant progress had already been made. Seven months later, he remarked, the government had yet to file a substantial legal challenge.
Rao claimed that the Congress government, under Revanth Reddy’s leadership, has indirectly supported Andhra Pradesh in executing the Banakacherla project. He accused them of having to issue backdated letters in response to the persistent pressure from the opposition, reflecting a concerning collaboration with AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Ultimately, Rao asserted that the Telangana government’s actions aimed to project an image of opposition to the project while subtly ensuring its advancement. He pointedly questioned the formation of a Telangana committee on December 23, 2025, just days after Andhra Pradesh established a similar committee on December 15, 2025.
