BJP faces delicate balancing act over Andhra's Banakacherla project as party eyes Telangana power

Hyderabad: As Telangana government had convened a meeting of the MPs of all the political parties in Hyderabad on Wednesday to discuss the Godavari Banakacherla link project proposed by Andhra Pradesh, union minister G Kishan Reddy rushed to union Jal Shakthi minister CR Patil.

While an invite has been sent to Kishan Reddy too to attend the all party meeting, two other MPs from BJP had attended the meeting while he chose to meet Patil in Delhi.

Kishan Reddy's decision to meet Patil rather than attend the state meeting underscores the 'urgency' of the situation and highlights the challenging position the BJP finds itself in within Telangana politics.

As tensions escalate between the Telugu states over the Godavari-Banakacherla project construction, the BJP faces a delicate balancing act. The party has been gaining significant support in Telangana while simultaneously sharing power in Andhra Pradesh. This dual positioning creates a complex challenge, particularly since the BJP-led Central government holds the authority to grant necessary permissions for the project that has ignited a controversy between the Telugu states.

The stakes are high for BJP in Telangana. The party achieved its highest-ever tally in the state during last year's general elections, winning eight out of 17 Lok Sabha seats. With clear ambitions to gain power in the state, the party cannot afford to be seen as favoring Andhra Pradesh's interests over Telangana's concerns.

Following the all-party meeting, it became evident that the Congress party is strategically targeting both the BRS overtly and the BJP covertly. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy blamed the previous BRS government for Andhra Pradesh's 'audacity' in proceeding with the Godavari-Banakacherla project. He also assured the MPs that an all-party delegation from the state would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre to withhold permissions for the project.

The Centre's response too has been measured. In reply to a letter from Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy objecting to Andhra's project, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil recently provided careful assurances while maintaining procedural correctness.

"I have had the matter examined," Patil stated. "In this regard, I would like to inform you that the detailed proposal for the Godavari-Banakacherla river linking scheme has not been received so far. I would like to assure you that upon receipt of the detailed proposal from the state government, the Central Water Commission under my Ministry will duly examine it in accordance with existing guidelines, Tribunal Awards, Inter-state Agreements, and various provisions under APRA 2014. Appropriate action will be taken accordingly," Patil said in the letter to Uttam Kumar Reddy.

After meeting Patil on Wednesday, Kishan Reddy echoed these assurances, stating that the Jal Shakti Minister guaranteed the project would be evaluated fairly according to all existing Ministry norms and after due consultations with relevant stakeholders. "The Modi government is committed to ensuring that no state faces injustice in this regard," Kishan Reddy added.

The two BJP MPs who participated in the all-party meeting DK Aruna and M Raghunandan Rao offered cautious responses that attempted to balance party loyalty with state interests.

"We will not accept any issue that causes injustice to Telangana," said Aruna. "Our state president Kishan Reddy has already met and briefed the Union Water Resources Minister. Moving forward, we as MPs will also meet the central minister to explain the injustice being done to Telangana," she added.

She reaffirmed that "the central government is examining all aspects regarding the Banakacherla issue," maintaining the party line while addressing local concerns.