New projects on the Godavari justifiable only after share of surplus waters is decided, says Telangana Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka

New projects on the Godavari being planned by Andhra Pradesh will be justifiable and fair only after the surplus river waters are shared between the two Telugu States, asserts Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.

The Congress leader was in Visakhapatnam on Sunday to participate in the party’s nation-wide ‘Vote Chori’ campaign against the alleged theft of votes.

Responding to the media queries on the dispute over Andhra Pradesh’s proposal to construct Banakacherla project, Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka said the people of Telangana had fought and achieved a separate State to enjoy their rightful share in the river waters.

“It is justifiable to build new projects only after the share of surplus waters is decided after the ongoing projects such as Indira Sagar, Rajiv Sagar, and Devadula are completed and water allocations made to them. The onus of deciding the share of surplus water rests with the Centre,” he said.

Dismissing any differences within the Telangana Congress in the wake of MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy’s recent remarks against the Chief Minister, Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka said, “Mr. Rajagopal Reddy too wants the Congress to be strong in Telangana. The party is very strong in Telangana, and in Andhra Pradesh, it will strengthen its base in the future. At the national level too, the party will flourish and Rahul Gandhi will become the Prime Minister.”

On the alleged theft of votes, he said deletion of votes was tantamount to curbing the rights of the people.

At a separate media conference, Congress Working Committee member Gidugu Rudraraju said the party would stage protests in all the 175 Assembly constituencies from Monday against the “theft” of votes.