HYDERABAD: For the fourth time since the elections, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao presented a picture perfect image of their bonhomie — however, this time, there was a twist in the tale.
Naidu and KCR, who ran into each other at the Alai Balai programme organised by BJP veteran Bandaru Dattatreya here Sunday, exchanged pleasantries, patted each other and even hugged much to the delight of their host. Naidu came in for the programme at Jala Vihar just when KCR was leaving.
But soon after the “friendly encounter”, KCR blasted Naidu, accusing him of conspiring against Telangana interests, particularly on the power front. Addressing the extended executive meeting of the TRS at the Telangana Bhavan, KCR alleged, “Naidu is taking unilateral decisions. A case in point is the Polavaram issue as a result of which Telangana lost the 450 MW Lower Sileru hydel power plant. Despite bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Naidu is time and again trying to create hurdles...particularly in supply of electricity to power-starved Telangana.”
The Telangana Chief Minister said after taking away the 450 MW Lower Sileru plant in Khammam district, Naidu was creating problems in the Krishnapatnam Ultra Mega Power Project’s power purchase agreement, which he felt could be a great source of power to Telangana. “Naidu knows fully well that Telangana is facing severe power crisis. But, he is trying to create problems for us. His actions are not in good spirit. These are against norms,” he said.
Admitting that Telangana would have power shortage for the next three years, he promised, “Telangana State will get an additional 2,500 MW by next year, another 2,000 MW in two years and 700 MW in the third year. Three years from now, the State will be power surplus.”