The recent statement made by Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy that he had prevailed upon his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu to stop the Rayalaseema lift irrigation project on Krishna River has given a new weapon to YSR Congress party president and former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
On Thursday, Jagan launched a blistering attack on Naidu, accusing him of betraying the interests of Rayalaseema farmers and the people of the state over the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project (RLIP).
Speaking to the media at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, Jagan reacted strongly to recent remarks made by Revanth Reddy in the Telangana assembly that Chandrababu Naidu had halted the Rayalaseema Lift project at his request during closed-door meetings.
“Revanth Reddy’s statement clearly shows how Chandrababu Naidu sold out the interests of Andhra Pradesh. If Revanth Reddy says I pressured and got the works stopped, then his words are proof of the secret understanding between them,” Jagan said.
Jagan alleged that both Naidu and his irrigation minister had spoken in an inhuman and insensitive manner about a project that was vital for drought-prone Rayalaseema.
“When I listen to their statements, I wonder whether they are even human. Their words reflect a cruel mindset,” he remarked.
Describing the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project as an “insurance policy” for a region that often struggles even for drinking water, Jagan said the project was conceived with a noble intention.
“Rayalaseema, Nellore and even parts of Chennai benefit from this project. It is nothing short of a lifeline for these regions,” he said.
He accused Chandrababu Naidu of stabbing Rayalaseema in the back for political convenience.
“For his selfish politics, Chandrababu has mortgaged the people of the state. There can be no more disgraceful leaders than this in the country,” Jagan alleged.
Jagan further said that Revanth Reddy’s statements in the Telangana assembly had effectively endorsed the alleged deal between the two chief ministers.
“Instead of condemning Revanth Reddy, Chandrababu Naidu and his people went to the extent of saying Rayalaseema Lift is not even required. That itself exposes their mindset,” he added.
The former chief minister demanded that the truth about the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project be placed before the public and said the people should know how the state’s interests were compromised.