Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram Left Canal launch has sparked a political credit war between the ruling TDP and opposition YSR Congress. Questions are now being raised over whether YSRCP’s social media messaging on the project contains contradictory claims.

Andhra Pradesh’s latest irrigation milestones have triggered a fresh political battle between the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress Party, with both sides attempting to establish their contribution to major projects.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the first phase of the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project on August 31 and released Godavari water towards North Andhra through the Polavaram Left Main Canal on September 2.

The 213-km Polavaram canal is expected to support irrigation across nearly 2.87 lakh acres and supply drinking water to about 5.23 lakh people, according to reports surrounding the inauguration. The latest water release is therefore being projected by the coalition government as an important development milestone for North Andhra.

Following the canal launch, YSR Congress leaders and supporters argued that a substantial portion of the Left Main Canal work had been completed during the previous government led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

They accused the present government of claiming exclusive credit for infrastructure developed across different administrations. Some supporters also described Polavaram as a project closely associated with former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s irrigation vision.

The TDP, meanwhile, has highlighted the work undertaken during Chandrababu Naidu’s earlier and present tenures. Its leaders are presenting the water release as evidence that the coalition government is completing delayed projects and delivering their benefits to the public.

Large irrigation projects generally extend across several governments. Land acquisition, canal excavation, lining, lift systems, rehabilitation and distribution infrastructure may all be completed at different stages. Political claims assigning the entire project to one party consequently require detailed official expenditure and progress records.

The controversy deepened when some YSRCP-aligned social media accounts reportedly highlighted alleged leaks or weak points along sections of the canal shortly after claiming credit for its construction.

This produced an apparent contradiction in the party’s online narrative. If the previous government completed the relevant sections, criticism of their construction quality could also invite questions about work executed or supervised during that period.

At the same time, the existence, location and seriousness of every alleged leak must be independently verified. Videos circulated on social media do not always establish whether water is escaping through a structural defect, an unfinished outlet, a temporary arrangement or a manageable issue detected during initial operations.

A stronger opposition strategy would separate legitimate questions about safety and construction quality from the broader political credit contest. It could demand inspection reports, contractor details and official explanations instead of relying primarily on short videos or partisan commentary.

Water infrastructure is usually tested gradually before it is operated at full capacity. Trial releases allow engineers to examine canal lining, embankments, regulators, outlets and adjoining structures under real conditions.

Seepage or other defects noticed during testing must not be dismissed automatically as routine. Engineers should inspect the affected locations, identify the cause and complete repairs before the discharge is increased. The government should also release clear technical information if public concerns emerge.

The immediate political debate is therefore less about who can publish the strongest social media post and more about whether the canal is safe, operationally reliable and capable of delivering its promised benefits.

For YSR Congress, consistent messaging supported by engineering evidence would make its criticism more credible. For the TDP-led government, transparency about trial-run observations and corrective action would help counter speculation. Ultimately, the public interest lies in completing the Polavaram system safely and ensuring dependable irrigation and drinking water for North Andhra.