Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Chooses Water Over Disputes With Andhra

He called for rising above politics to find a solution to the disputes between the two Telugu states over the sharing of Krishna and Godavari River waters.

"If you ask whether Telangana state needs a dispute or water, I will choose water. If asked whether we want conflict or a solution, I will choose a solution," he said while speaking at a programme at Maheshwaram in Rangareddy district.

Revanth Reddy appealed to his Andhra Pradesh counterpart, N. Chandrababu Naidu, not to create obstacles for the Telangana projects across the Krishna River.

"I appeal to him from this platform. Do not create obstacles for permissions to those projects on the Krishna River, which were proposed in the undivided Andhra Pradesh," he said.

He noted that due to these obstacles, Central government funds are not being released, and the state is facing a financial burden.

Revanth Reddy stated that for Telangana to get port connectivity, cooperation from the neighbouring state is necessary. "If the two states cooperate with each other, the problems will be resolved. Discussions with the neighbouring state will continue for this purpose," he said.

He also stated that he favours resolving the problems through talks and not through the courts.

He made it clear that the Congress has no intention of gaining political mileage from the water dispute.

"I appeal to all parties to rise above politics and cooperate for a solution. Let's resolve our problems amicably," he said.

"We are thinking not about political gains, but about the interests of the people and the farmers," he added.

The Chief Minister stated that Telangana does not want disputes with neighbouring states, whether it is Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, or Maharashtra. "We seek mutual cooperation," he added.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu, on January 7, had appealed to Telangana not to indulge in politics over river water sharing issues.

Expressing concern over the politicisation of water sharing issues between the two Telugu states, the Chief Minister made it clear that he never objected to projects in Telangana.

He asked if it was proper to object Polavaram project undertaken by Andhra Pradesh.

Chief Minister Naidu was referring to the objection raised by the Telangana government over the expansion of the Polavaram project.

The Telangana government has approached the Supreme Court to stop the Polavaram-Nallamalla Sagar project aimed at diverting water from the Godavari River to the Krishna basin in Andhra Pradesh.

Chandrababu Naidu was talking to media persons after a visit to Polavaram in Eluru district to review the status of the mega project.

He said that there is nothing wrong with using surplus water, which is going to waste into the sea. "Once we complete the Polavaram project, we can use surplus water in Godavari, supply Krishna water to the Rayalaseema region, and if there is excess water, we can supply it to Telangana also," he said.

- IANS