Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao has offered to use his good offices with the new Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, for sorting out issues concerning sharing of Godavari waters with Telangana.
If small check dams were built across the Godavari and the Kaleshwaram bridge was constructed, it would be possible to utilise 720 tmcft of water for mutual benefit of both the States. “I will speak to the Chief Minister and see what can be done. I will do my best to help Telangana, Mr. Vidyasagar Rao promised.
He was responding to the civic reception organised by Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao here on Sunday to felicitate him on assuming the office of the Governor of Maharashtra. Governor E.S.L Narasimhan, Ministers, MPs and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Thanking KCR for the felicitation, Mr. Vidyasagar Rao said he appreciated the commitment with which the former participated in the Telangana movement. He recalled his days as legislator in the A.P Assembly and the lengths to which some went to get into the news. He, however, checked himself by saying that as a Governor, he was not supposed to speak much.
In his address, KCR said the construction of Inchampally project would be mutually beneficial to Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. It would help both Telangana and Maharashtra get water for irrigation and power. Once the new government of Maharashtra settles down, a delegation will be sent to meet the Chief Minister to discuss the Godavari water issue, KCR said.
He recalled how Mr. Vidyasagar Rao had a soft corner for Telangana and at the height of the movement had tried to convince the BJP leadership on the issue. He had also done his bit to help Telangana in tackling the power crisis in the State. A Telangana man getting elevated to the high office of Governor is an occasion to celebrate, KCR said.
Mr. Narasimhan said the younger generation had a lot to learn from the humility and low profile attitude of Mr. Vidyasagar Rao. Despite their difference of opinion, they shared a good friendship. “He is a gentleman to the core and I sometimes wonder why he is in politics,” Mr. Narasimhan remarked.
Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma, in his welcome address, described Mr. Vidyasagar Rao as an ‘illustrious son of Telangana’.
