Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka Calls BRS a ‘Curse’ for Telangana, Pledges to Protect State Interests

Swift Summary

• Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka criticized the previous BRS government for its handling of Telangana’s irrigation issues.
• He accused the BRS of failing to protect Telangana’s interests during their tenure, calling them a “curse on Telangana.”
• At an event in Khammam district, Mr. Vikramarka emphasized combating alleged conspiracies by Andhra Pradesh (AP) over water-sharing projects like Banakacherla.
• He stated that effective arguments by Telangana leaders had halted AP’s Banakacherla project, which was deemed harmful to agriculture in Telangana.
• Criticism was directed at BRS for not opposing AP’s Polavaram project or the merging of seven mandals from Khammam district into AP through an ordinance.
• Mr. Vikramarka declared efforts towards better utilization of Krishna and Godavari waters to secure adequate irrigation facilities for every acre in Telangana.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The comments made by Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka highlight enduring tensions surrounding interstate water-sharing disputes between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, notably concerning critical river projects like Banakacherla and Polavaram. These disputes have historical roots from before state bifurcation and remain a sensitive issue impacting agriculture-dependent communities on both sides.

Mr. Vikramarka’s remarks underscore frustrations over perceived administrative lapses under the previous BRS leadership in safeguarding state interests during pivotal moments post-bifurcation-such as territorial merger ordinances affecting Khammam district or insufficient resistance against large-scale infrastructure undertakings like Polavaram.

While regional water-sharing disputes generate significant political rhetoric, constructive dialogue between states may be necessary to ensure equitable distribution amidst competing demands for irrigation and advancement resources in both states-a challenge that requires caution yet cooperation given shared ecological interdependencies.

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