Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao took on the Centre and the AP government for denying Telangana its share of power and water, besides delaying the bifurcation of the High Court. He was speaking ahead of the elections in two MLC graduates constituencies, and made a case against the voters choosing the TD-BJP alliance.

Mr Rao said AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was creating obstacles at every step for Telangana. “You (graduates) might have read a report in Deccan Chronicle. We proposed the Palamur lift irrigation project to provide irrigation to 10 lakh acres in backward and parched Mahbubnagar district. We have taken up the issue with the Krishna tribunal to get our share of water,” he said.

“Without informing us, Mr Naidu took up the Pattiseema lift irrigation project to divert (water). He has to take permission from Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra and sign an MoU but he did not do it. He is trying to bulldoze it,” Mr Rao said.

Talking about the power sharing situation, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said that AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had refused to give Telangana its share of power. “We lodged a complaint with the Centre, but they turned mere spectator. Because Mr Naidu is their supporter, because he in the NDA alliance, the Centre ignored our repeated pleas and did not provide us power,” he said.

The CM said the Centre did not ensure power to Telangana. “Naidu is now appealing to graduates to vote for BJP candidates. What does it indicate? BJP leaders too talk big. When seven mandals were forcibly taken away (from Telangana), what did BJP leaders do? Why should graduates and intellectuals vote for BJP? Vote for them because seven mandals were knocked away? Because we have been denied our share of power, he asked.

On the High Court bifurcation, Mr Rao said, “Advocates are on strike. Why did BJP leaders not pursue the issue with the Centre? Who is responsible? The Centre should have done it. We have tried our best. We approached the Supreme Court Chief Justice, Prime Minister, the law minister, the old minister, the new minister. They are talking big but haven’t done anything.”

“Should people vote for BJP for this? The BJP and TD are creating obstacles for Telangana. They are not allowing us to utilise Krishna waters for Palamur. They have decided to lodge a complaint with the Krishna River Management Board. It is there in Deccan Chronicle. I request graduates to read the story in DC.” The CM said the TRS was concerned about the welfare of the people and victory of the party candidates Palla Rajeshwar Reddy and Devi Prasad would strengthen the hands of government. Their victory would ensure majority for the TRS in the Legislative Council so that passage of Bills would be smooth and the government would ensure effective implementation of its welfare and developmental schemes.

When a reporter asked about TD legislators alleged that their voices were being stifled, he shot back: "They stood on benches, insulted the national anthem and got suspended. We did not stifle their voice, they stifled their own voice. The Assembly will decide about the revocation of suspension."

Mr Rao announced that the party organisational elections from the village to the state level will be completed by April 24. On that day, the party extended general body will meet at LB Stadium where the new party president will be elected; Mr Rao will be reelected, it is learnt. A public meeting will be held on April 27 at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad, where the party and government achievements and future course of action will be discussed.