In a recent confrontation between the police forces of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana at the Nagarjuna Sagar project, concerns have risen within the BRS and Congress parties. The clash, centered around the Krishna river water sharing issue, has left political circles on edge, particularly in the districts of old Nalgonda, Khammam, and Mahabubnagar, where residents rely on the Krishna river for essential needs like drinking water and irrigation.
Fears loom large that the incident’s fallout could impact voting patterns on polling day. BRS insiders express confidence that the controversy surrounding the release of Krishna water, involving the intervention of Andhra police, might sway political advantage in their favor. They believe that KCR’s persistent stance on the water-sharing problem positions the BRS favorably in the eyes of voters.
Reports suggesting growing support for the Congress in Krishna river-adjacent districts have prompted BRS leaders to assert that farmers will likely intensify water-sharing issues. In turn, they anticipate voters in Congress-ruled districts leaning towards the BRS in response to these concerns.
The tension reached its peak when Andhra Pradesh police officials reportedly entered the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and erected fencing at the 13th gate, claiming ownership of the dam. Approximately 700 police officers from APSP clashed with TSSF personnel, who were tasked with guarding the dam. The altercation resulted in injuries to some Telangana police officers, who reported the incident to higher authorities.
This is not the first instance of such clashes. On February 13, 2015, Andhra Pradesh police made a similar attempt to enter the dam, but the swift deployment of Telangana’s Greyhounds teams averted a major clash at that time. The recent escalation underscores the heightened tensions surrounding water-sharing disputes between the two states.
