Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Yellampalli Becomes New Political Battlefield for Congress and BRS
In Telangana, a state in India, two big political teams are arguing about a water project called Yellampalli.
This project stores water that helps farmers grow their crops.
This year it rained very hard, and the project got a lot of water.
Machines called pumps are now sending that water to the fields and reservoirs.
Farmers are happy because their crops are getting water.
The Congress team says it built the project, because its leader started it in 2004.
The BRS team says its leader made it work by adding the pumps that lift water.
Both teams visited the pumps to show everyone the good work.
Congress supporters even did a special prayer to clean a pump house after BRS leaders visited it.
In the end, both teams want everyone to thank them for helping the farmers.
The Sripada Yellampalli project has become a fresh political battleground for Telangana's Congress and BRS parties.
Water lifting began via the Nandi and Gayatri pump houses to protect standing crops and speed up Kharif-season agriculture in north Telangana.
The project recorded its highest inflows in recent times after heavy rains, feeding the Mid Manair reservoir and the SRSP rejuvenation project.
Congress says Yellampalli was built and completed in its period, citing Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy's July 2004 foundation, while BRS credits K. Chandrashekhar Rao's redesign and pump houses.
Congress activists performed a 'purification' pooja at the Gayatri pump house, saying BRS leaders' visit made it impure.
- Who
- Congress and BRS political leaders in Telangana, including irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, Peddapalli MLA Chinthakunta Vijayaramana Rao, and senior BRS leader Eeda Shankar Reddy.
- What
- A political fight over credit for the Sripada Yellampalli irrigation project, which has begun supplying water to protect standing crops in north Telangana during the Kharif season.
- When
- In the current Kharif season, after heavy rains brought the project's highest inflows in recent times; the foundation was laid in July 2004 and it became operational in 2016.
- Where
- North Telangana, including Karimnagar, Yellampalli village in Peddapalli district, and Kotilingala in Velgatoor mandal.
- Why
- To protect standing crops and ensure speedy agricultural activity; both parties also want to claim political credit for the water supply.
Congress View
BRS View
Credit for the Yellampalli project
Congress View
The Yellampalli project was constructed and completed during the Congress period; the foundation was laid by Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy in July 2004, so Congress has a rightful claim.
BRS View
Water can only be lifted because BRS chief minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao redesigned the project and developed the Nandi and Gayatri pump houses and Bahubali motors; the project became operational during the BRS term in 2016.
Source of the lifted water
Congress View
Water is not being lifted from the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages built under Kaleshwaram, so the water being supplied belongs to the Yellampalli project.
BRS View
It is impossible to draw water without the Nandi and Gayatri pump houses, which were developed as part of the Kaleshwaram project, so the benefit comes from infrastructure the BRS built.
Handling of inspections and the ritual
Congress View
Congress activists held a purification pooja at the Gayatri pump house, asserting it became impure with the visit of the BRS leaders, and Congress ministers inspected projects completed during its terms.
BRS View
BRS leaders examined the Nandi and Gayatri pumps developed under Kaleshwaram and inspected backwaters at Kotilingala, directing attention toward BRS-built assets.
- Project
- Sripada Yellampalli irrigation project, near Yellampalli village in Peddapalli district
- Purpose
- Protect standing crops and ensure speedy agricultural activity in north Telangana during Kharif season
- Pump houses operating
- Nandi pump house and Gayatri pump house
- Water destinations
- Flood flow canal filling Mid Manair reservoir; SRSP rejuvenation project
- Foundation laid
- July 2004 by former Congress chief minister Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy
- Became operational
- 2016, during the BRS term
- Parties clashing
- Congress (ruling) and BRS (opposition)
- BRS counter-claim
- Nandi and Gayatri pump houses and Bahubali motors developed by K. Chandrashekhar Rao under the Kaleshwaram redesign