BRS to Address Water Issues in Assembly, Plans Mass Mobilisation

K Chandrasekhar Rao, president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has instructed party legislators to focus on the Congress government's alleged shortcomings regarding water management in Telangana. This directive comes ahead of the state legislative assembly's monsoon session.

During a meeting with the BRS Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) on Sunday, Rao identified the failure to release water from the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project and negligence of the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy irrigation project as key issues. Both projects are critical for irrigation in the region.

The Kaleshwaram project has faced criticism over structural flaws and is under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation due to allegations of corruption. Meanwhile, the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy project was designed to irrigate approximately 1.23 million acres of land using water from the Krishna River.

Rao, known as KCR, announced plans to stage large-scale protests against the Congress government’s inaction on these issues. He emphasised that the BRS would pursue a broader agenda during the assembly session, which includes raising matters about pending tuition fee dues, the inadequate farm loan waiver scheme, and the alleged injustices faced by various societal segments, including students and farmers.

T Harish Rao, a prominent BRS MLA and KCR's nephew, reiterated these concerns following the meeting, labelling the Congress government's actions as a betrayal of public trust. He asserted that despite the opposition's criticism of KCR's absence from assembly sessions, the focus should instead be on the ruling government's failure to meet its promises.

Adding to the ongoing discourse, Harish Rao argued that the assembly should schedule sessions extending over a month to adequately address critical issues. He pointed out the significance of raising questions about the large-scale inclusion of lands in the prohibitive list, which complicates property transactions for lower-income groups.

Congress officials have countered that delays in releasing water from the Kaleshwaram project are justified as repairs are necessary, in line with guidelines from the National Dam Safety Authority. They noted that the previous BRS government had already completed roughly 80% of the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy project prior to handing over power.

In the lead-up to the assembly session, KCR has not only been vocal in the legislature's strategic discussions but also preparing for a padayatra, or march, dedicated to addressing water and agricultural issues. This initiative is intended to draw attention to the BRS's commitment to farmer welfare and irrigation solutions.

KCR's efforts underline the importance of water management in Telangana’s agricultural landscape. As the BRS gears up for its political campaign, it appears poised to leverage these pressing concerns to mobilise support among the farming community and broader public.

As the legislative assembly convenes, the focus will be on how effectively the BRS can translate these issues into legislative action and public support. Political experts observe that the assembly proceedings will likely become a platform for the BRS to challenge the Congress leadership on these critical matters.