A day after the altercation between Telangana police and Andhra Pradesh police at Nagarjuna Sagar dam which resulted in political statements, Irrigation Minister Ambati Rambabu clarified the whole story. He also cleared the air over the issue as a section of media (pro-TDP) tried to paint political colours to the whole matter. However, the Telangana police have filed a case against the AP police.
“The situation is that only half of the dam falls under Telangana’s jurisdiction, yet the neighbouring Telangana state has taken control of the entire project.
The previous Chandrababu Naidu government maintained a passive stance towards Telangana state’s action as he was involved in the note-for-vote case in Telangana. ”However, we (the present government led by CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy) are determined not to remain silent,” stated Rambabu and added that the faults that were committed by Naidu during the TDP regime were being rectified by the ruling YSRCP government about the rightful share of water.
He further highlighted that during the previous government’s tenure, ‘Telangana had even denied us our rightful share of water.’
Minister Rambabu strongly criticised media reports suggesting that the Andhra Pradesh police had invaded the Nagarjuna Sagar Project. He said that when AP police reached Sagar dam which is in AP jurisdiction. “How can it be called a conquest?” Ambati questioned and said that BJP’s Kishan Reddy had admitted to a few points the other day.
It may be noted that the Nagarjuna Sagar Project and Srisailam projects are inter-state projects and river water is shared between AP and Telangana states, according to the AP Reorganisation Act.
The Minister recalled that only because of Chandrababu’s incompetence, the State lost the rights to Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.
When questioned about any potential political motive behind the incident, especially given the ongoing elections in Telangana, Rambabu dismissed such claims.
Minister Ambati said, “We have cordial relations with any government in the neighbouring State. Our party does not exist in Telangana, so we did not compete there. Therefore, we don’t need to defeat any political party in Telangana,” he said and reiterated that AP won’t use a single drop of water beyond its share.
The Minister strongly criticised Chandrababu Naidu as a traitor of Telugu people especially the farmers. He further said that the people will teach a lesson to TDP.
Pointing out at Purandeswari, Minister Ambati said she was acting as the president of the Telugu Desam party forgetting that she is heading the AP BJP.
The Minister said, “We have no interests in Telangana and the steps taken were only to protect our rights.”
The Minister said that Pawan Kalyan may be a mad person but the Kapu community is not so. He asked if Chandrababu was arrested in a corruption case, no opposition leader or politician has supported except Pawan Kalyan.
