Naidu conspired 19 times, says T Harish Rao

Hyderabad: Irrigation minister T. Harish Rao on Thursday said TD president and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu who had betrayed the Telangana people and attempted to destabilise the TRS government in 2014 was making another bid for a foothold in the state.

Releasing an open letter comprising 19 of alleged conspiracies against Telangana State, Mr Harish Rao said Mr Naidu had no intention to develop the state and improve lives of the people. If Mr Naidu succeeded in his plans, he would ensure that the AP government’s interests were put ahead of the needs of Telangana state.

The alleged conspiracies were related to Mr Naidu’s “betrayal” in various sectors including, irrigation, power and even sharing of office space in the city. Speaking to mediapersons at the TRS headquarters, he said he had no objection to the TD contesting in Telangana State, but Mr Naidu and his party would have to explain why they attempted to stop projects designed to deliver irrigation and other benefits to the people of Telangana.

Enclosing the letters of the AP government to the Centre seeking stoppage of irrigation projects including Kaleswaram, Palamuru-Ranga Reddy and the Kalwakurthy lift irrigation schemes, Mr Harish Rao pointed to Mr Naidu’s “attempts” to stop release of water from Srisailam reservoir to Telangana State, and construction of irrigation projects without Telangana’s consent.

He said that the AP Reorganisation Act had specified the share of Telangana in power generated in power plants in AP, but Mr Naidu had refused to comply. He had cancelled power purchase agreements on the grounds of having surplus power, but even then AP power companies participated when the Telangana government invited bids to purchase power.

With this action, Mr Naidu had burdened Telangana state of Rs 4,557 crore. He had caused another burden of Rs 1,000 crore by refusing to take back Andhra employees working in Telangana State.