Hyderabad : Telangana govt’s appeal to farmers to avoid paddy cultivation during the upcoming Yasangi season has evolved from an agricultural advisory into a political test of its credibility on water management. As opposition parties question whether the govt adequately planned for emerging water constraints, political observers say the controversy could shape public perceptions of Congress ’s governance and potentially influence the state’s political landscape.
Political analyst S Ramakrishna said the Telangana govt’s paddy advisory fits into a similar dynamic.
Ramakrishna said the political impact of the issue on Congress cannot be ruled out. He said farmers had been informed since the beginning of the year about the need to shift towards alternative crops and that seeds had already been supplied to facilitate the transition. Depending on how successfully the ruling party addresses criticism, it could even influence the timing and atmosphere surrounding local body and GHMC elections. BRS has accused the Congress govt of failing to utilise available waters of the Godavari and Krishna rivers, alleging that significant quantities flowed downstream unutilised. Congress has countered by pointing to shortcomings in irrigation infrastructure inherited from the previous BRS regime. BJP , too, has questioned the govt’s preparedness to tackle water scarcity. Congress leader and Rythu Commission member S Anvesh Reddy, however, rejected criticism that the government acted late.
Because of shrinking water availability, congress argues that farmers must gradually move away from water-intensive paddy cultivation.
Conversely, a convincing explanation, credible water management and sustained support for farmers could help the govt defend its position,” he said. Ravi Kanneganti of Rythu Swarajya Vedika said neither BRS nor Congress had developed a systematic strategy to manage such challenges. “Govts should plan for such situations during normal years instead of responding only when a crisis emerges,” he said.
“In Telangana, the paddy advisory could become a political liability for Congress if farmers view it as a sign of poor preparation. Opposition parties, however, contend that the controversy raises larger questions about whether available water resources have been managed effectively.