Former Telangana Chief Minister and BRS president K Chandrashekar Rao has announced plans for a major padayatra focused on irrigation and farmers’ concerns. KCR said he would visit the Kaleshwaram and Palamuru projects with nearly one lakh farmers, potentially opening a new phase in the BRS campaign against the Congress government.
KCR Water Padayatra to Focus on Major Irrigation Projects
KCR announced the proposed march during a BRS Legislature Party meeting held at his farmhouse in Erravalli, Siddipet district. He said the padayatra would highlight water-related issues and cover the Kaleshwaram and Palamuru irrigation projects.
“I will soon undertake a padayatra for water. I will visit Kaleshwaram and Palamuru projects along with one lakh farmers,” KCR told party representatives at the meeting.
The BRS chief did not immediately announce a starting date, route or complete schedule for the programme. However, his statement signals that irrigation is likely to become a central political issue for the party in the coming months.
The proposed mobilisation would mark a significant return to grassroots campaigning for KCR. Since the BRS lost power to Congress, the former chief minister has faced criticism over his limited participation in Assembly proceedings. A large public campaign could allow him to address farmers directly while rebuilding the party’s organisational presence across Telangana.
KCR Farmer Rally Could Intensify BRS-Congress Battle
The planned participation of approximately one lakh farmers indicates that the BRS wants to develop the padayatra into a mass political movement rather than limit it to a symbolic visit. The party is expected to focus on irrigation supplies, crop requirements and the condition and future of major water projects.
Kaleshwaram has remained at the centre of political debate because it was one of the BRS government’s flagship irrigation programmes. Congress has raised questions about its construction, costs, operation and alleged irregularities, while the BRS has defended the project and its role in strengthening Telangana’s agricultural sector.
The Palamuru-Rangareddy project is equally important to the politics of southern Telangana, where water availability has long influenced public opinion. By including both projects in his proposed tour, KCR appears to be preparing a statewide argument on irrigation policy and the Congress government’s performance.
The march could also help the BRS revive its traditional connection with rural voters. Farmers were an important political constituency during the party’s years in government, with agricultural investment support, power supply and irrigation repeatedly highlighted as its major achievements.
BRS Irrigation Campaign Targets Revanth Reddy Government
The announcement comes as the BRS looks for issues capable of placing Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s government under sustained pressure. Irrigation and agriculture offer the opposition party an opportunity to connect project-level concerns with questions affecting individual farmers.
The BRS could use the campaign to question the availability of irrigation water, project maintenance, reservoir management and the implementation of agricultural promises. Congress, however, is likely to counter by scrutinising decisions taken during KCR’s tenure and highlighting its own farmer welfare measures.
The political effect of the padayatra will depend on its timing, route and participation. Mobilising the announced number of farmers would require extensive planning and coordination among the BRS district leadership, legislators and grassroots workers.
Telangana Assembly Strategy Discussed at BRS Meeting
The Erravalli meeting was attended by BRS working president KT Rama Rao, former minister T Harish Rao and several party MLAs and MLCs. Discussions also covered the party’s strategy for the coming Telangana Assembly sessions.
KCR reportedly directed party legislators to raise public concerns and challenge the Congress government inside the House. Farmers, irrigation water, major projects and alleged administrative failures are expected to feature prominently in the BRS campaign.
Congress leaders have frequently criticised KCR for remaining away from Assembly proceedings despite serving as Leader of the Opposition. His latest plan suggests that he may concentrate on taking the political confrontation to project sites and farming communities.
The BRS is therefore preparing to fight on two fronts: its legislators will confront the government in the Assembly, while KCR’s proposed padayatra will seek to mobilise support outside it. The official dates and route will determine how quickly the plan develops into a major statewide campaign.
