'Not Nature, But Failure': KTR Slams Revanth Reddy Over Telangana Drought
BRS leader KTR alleges that Telangana's drought is man-made, claiming CM Revanth Reddy's negligence is wasting river water.
In a scathing attack on the state administration, Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KTR has alleged that the current drought-like conditions in Telangana are not a result of natural calamities, but are instead a direct consequence of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s "inefficient administration" and negligence. Speaking at an event at Telangana Bhavan, where several leaders from the BJP and Congress joined the BRS, KTR asserted that the crisis has been imposed on the people by the government's failures.
Water Wasted While Farmers Suffer
The BRS leader raised serious concerns regarding the management of water resources, claiming that while rivers are flowing, the water is being wasted by being released into the sea rather than being diverted for irrigation. KTR alleged that the government has failed to supply available water to the farming community, leaving them in a state of desperation.
He specifically cited a visit to the Kannepalli pump house on June 19, where he observed lakhs of cusecs of water flowing downstream. According to KTR, despite urges to activate the pumps and lift the water, the government remained unresponsive.
The Kaleshwaram Controversy
KTR leveled a provocative accusation regarding the Kaleshwaram project, claiming that the government is deliberately refusing to activate the pumps. He argued that doing so would prove that the Congress party's long-standing allegations against the project were false.
"God had sent water for the people of Telangana, but 'priest Revanth Reddy' has come in between and prevented it from reaching the people by refusing to press the button," KTR remarked sarcastically.
The BRS leader provided startling figures, claiming that 750 TMC of water from the Godavari and 250 TMC from the Krishna rivers have flowed into the sea. He stated that if this volume of water had been managed correctly, it could have provided irrigation to one crore acres of land.
Farmers in Crisis: Urea and Electricity Shortages
Beyond water management, KTR highlighted a multifaceted crisis facing the agricultural sector. He pointed out that farmers are currently battling:
- Severe shortages of irrigation water, forcing some to bring water in tankers to save dying crops.
- Persistent electricity problems.
- A critical lack of urea.
- Delays in Rythu Bandhu payments.
Broken Promises and 'Delhi Visits'
KTR took a swipe at the Congress party's election guarantees, questioning why promises that were supposed to be fulfilled within 100 days remain unkept after nearly three years. He demanded that the government stop misleading the public and openly admit if it is unable to deliver on its pledges.
The BRS leader also mocked the Chief Minister's frequent travels to the national capital. He alleged that Revanth Reddy prioritizes visits to Delhi over resolving the grievances of Telangana's farmers, sarcastically suggesting that the CM's primary occupation is visiting Delhi every month to pay his "EMI."
Comparing Eras of Governance
Drawing a contrast between the current regime and the previous administration, KTR recalled the ten-year rule of KCR. He highlighted the provision of 24-hour free electricity and the implementation of welfare schemes such as the KCR Kit, Kalyana Lakshmi, and Shaadi Mubarak. He further noted that the previous government continued to support farmers by purchasing paddy even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Concluding his remarks, KTR suggested that the people of Telangana are now realizing the value of the previous administration, stating that people understand the value of light only after experiencing darkness, and the value of a horse only after seeing a donkey. He claimed that the public is now waiting for elections to bring KCR back as the Chief Minister.