KCR working out AP-specific strategy to expand BRS

Hyderabad: The ruling BRS which has made its first move in expanding its area of operation by admitting three leaders from Andhra Pradesh has new challenges to handle now. It needs to work on its strategies to convince the people of Andhra Pradesh regarding several issues, including sharing of Krishna waters and the Polavaram project.

Keeping in view the contentious issues between the two states following the bifurcation of the state, BRS chief and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao is said to be working out a political agenda exclusively for Andhra Pradesh. This becomes important since the issue of Krishna waters is before the Supreme Court and Telangana has been insisting on fixing of water allocation for both the states. On the other hand, AP has been opposing all the major projects, including Palamuru Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation project on Krishna and Kaleshwaram on river Godavari. The Telangana government has objected to the enhancement of the capacity of the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator. In the backdrop of such a situation, a senior BRS leader said that KCR wants to find a logical solution to all these pending disputes which had arisen post-bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

KCR, it may be mentioned here, has been advocating linking of rivers in the country for optimum utilisation of water for agriculture as well as drinking water needs and power generation at cheaper rates. Hence, he is of the opinion that it should be a win-win situation for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh regarding water, power dues and division of assets owned by more than 20 corporations specified in the Schedule IX and X.

"The political agenda which is being prepared by the BRS for Andhra Pradesh will categorically explain safeguarding the interests of AP as well as Telangana states," sources said, adding that KCR is already holding consultations with some AP intellectuals to finalise the agenda. "The BRS head will give no scope to the party rivals to criticize KCR on the critical issues which are pending since the bifurcation of the state".

It however remains to be seen to what extent the AP government will accept the proposals of KCR. The Advisor to the government Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy on Tuesday said, "In democracy everyone has a right to dream. It is for the people to decide what they want."

But another section of the leaders recalls some of the comments he had made on the Vedic scholars or Andhra Pradesh and the comments on Andhra biryani, etc, during the Telangana movement and later during election campaigns as well.

BRS sources said that since it is no more a regional party, its approach will be different, and they will be able to convince the people of Andhra. The main target of the BRS in the speeches to be delivered by KCR would be TDP and YSRCP.