BRS Using El Niño Conditions for Political Gain, Says Telangana Minister Uttam

Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has accused Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders of spreading misinformation about the condition of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages and using El Niño-related concerns for political gain. Addressing a press conference at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat, he alleged that the previous BRS government had failed to complete several irrigation projects, including Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Bhima, SLBC and Sitarama, which he said could have helped reduce farmers’ difficulties during drought conditions. Uttam also criticised K. Chandrashekar Rao, K. T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao over their statements on irrigation, while claiming that Telangana had achieved substantial paddy cultivation and procurement despite the three barrages remaining unavailable for use.

The minister said technical assessments, legal inquiries and vigilance reports had highlighted design, construction and maintenance concerns at the barrages. He stated that the government was consulting domestic and international experts to prepare restoration designs and was proceeding with the work without political motives. Uttam also questioned the progress of projects such as Palamuru, Sitarama, Pranahita–Chevella and the SLBC tunnel, arguing that completing them could have strengthened the state’s ability to manage adverse rainfall conditions. His remarks come amid a political dispute between the Congress government and the BRS over irrigation infrastructure, project implementation and the impact of El Niño on farmers. The allegations and claims made at the press conference reflect the minister’s position on the issue.