Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh has strongly criticized political groups. According to him, they are trying to spark tensions between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over water sharing. Speaking at a press conference, Lokesh argued that some leaders are putting politics and personal gain above the real needs of the people, stirring up controversy around the Banakacherla project that aims to bring Godavari river water to drought-hit Rayalaseema.
Lokesh said that instead of letting surplus water flow into the ocean unused, Andhra Pradesh wants to use it to help its farmers and regions suffering from drought. He questioned why there is so much fuss about Andhra Pradesh using extra water. In his words, “If this project was in the upstream state, maybe then there would be reason to object. But this project is in the downstream state (Andhra Pradesh), so Telangana shouldn’t have a problem.”
The minister did not stop there. He pointed fingers at Telangana’s own water schemes, particularly the Kaleshwaram project. Lokesh asked whether the Kaleshwaram Dam and irrigation works had obtained all the right clearances before construction. His point is that why is Telangana fine with doing big projects on their own but objects when Andhra Pradesh tries a similar approach?
Lokesh accused critics of having double standards of accepting big projects in their state, but raising a hue and cry when Andhra Pradesh plans its own. He believes this is more about politics than genuine concern for people or water management. The water dispute has grown sharper recently due to the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link project which Telangana has objected to. The controversy has resulted in the Central Water Commission and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. While committees have been created to sort things out, the Banakacherla project remains a thorny issue.
Confident about the outcome, Lokesh assured that the government would resolve the conflict, just like it managed to save the Vizag Steel Plant earlier. “We will manage this too. We can answer the CWC,” he declared. Lokesh’s comments come as water disputes between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana continue to dominate headlines, with both states trading accusations and seeking intervention from central agencies. For now, farmers and residents in both states are left waiting for a breakthrough hoping politics won’t block their access to water.
