HYDERABAD
Former Minister and Deputy Floor Leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in the Assembly T. Harish Rao has alleged that the Congress government had deliberately weakened Telangana’s legal fight against the Godavari–Banakacherla Project, thereby compromising the State’s water interests.
The observations of the Supreme Court in a case related to the Andhra Pradesh’s project filed by Telangana had exposed the government’s negligence and lack of sincerity in protecting State’s rights, Mr. Rao said addressing a press conference at Sangareddy on Monday. He alleged that while AP was aggressively pursuing the Banakacherla project, the Telangana Government was indirectly facilitating it instead of resisting it.
He pointed out that Telangana government’s lack of sincerity in the matter stood exposed as the Supreme Court had dismissed the State government’s suit and made serious observations about the manner in which it was filed. He sought to know how the government could submit such a defective suit in a matter involving Telangana’s water rights.
“The Supreme Court itself observed that the suit was not properly drafted. Such a weak case could not have been filed without the knowledge and approval of the Chief Minister”, he alleged. He asked the role of the Advocate General and government legal team, seeking to know why they failed to present a legally sustainable case despite having several months to prepare.
Alleging that Chief Minister Mr. Revanth Reddy was more focused on attacking the BRS than protecting Telangana’s interests, Mr. Harish Rao recalled that the government’s earlier writ petition was already dismissed by the Supreme Court and now the suit had also met the same fate.
The BRS leader stated that tenders for the Godavari–Nallamala Sagar (Banakacherla) project were finalised on 11 December 2025, but the Telangana Government had approached the court only on 16 December 2025, after the process had already advanced significantly. Even after seven months, the government had failed to file a strong legal challenge.
Accusing the Congress government led by Mr. Revanth Reddy of extending indirect support to AP in implementing the Banakacherla project, the BRS leader said they (BRS) had repeatedly warned the government about the project, forcing it to issue backdated letters following the sustained pressure from the opposition.
The government’s actions reflected an understanding with AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Mr. Harish Rao said the Telangana Government’s approach was to create the impression that it was opposing the project while ensuring that it was not actually stopped. He asked why Telangana constituted its committee on 23 December 2025, only days after AP formed a similar committee on 15 December 2025.
Published – July 14, 2026 12:10 am IST
