HYDERABAD: Upset with the recent directive of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to stop power generation at the Srisailam reservoir, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday flew off the handle at the board’s chairman, calling him a “nincompoop”.
Speaking at a public meeting at Malkajgiri after inaugurating a drinking water scheme, an emotional KCR thundered, “Who is he? Who is that Krishna Board Chairman? Does he have a head on his shoulders?”
The Board has recently directed Telangana to stop power generation at Srisailam by November 2, despite its submission that such a step would deprive farmers in the state of much-needed power supply. The Chief Minister recalled that during the TDP and Congress rules, power was generated at Srisailam even when the water level at the reservoir was as low as 760 ft. “These are not mere statements. These are all facts and figures available from government records. But the Andhra Pradesh Government is creating an unnecessary controversy even when the water level is at 859 ft,” he said.
Holding his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu responsible for the power crisis in the state, KCR accused him of leaving no stone unturned to deny Telangana its due share of electricity.
“Chandrababu Naidu has taken a pledge to see to it that crops in Telangana wither away. We will not let this happen. If need be, we will buy power at `20 per unit,” he asserted.
Stating that power crisis was the result of the “unfortunate” legacy of both the Congress and TDP, the Chief Minister accused both the parties of trying to hinder development in Hyderabad and the state at large.