AP minister counters Naidu, says ex- CM's 'flood plan' would have created a big disaster

Following a series of allegations levelled by opposition leader Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra State Minister for Water Resources Anil Kumar Yadav has responded saying that the state has followed procedure while releasing water from dams. The minister said that the former CM seems to have no idea about the procedure to release water and his allegations were against the interest of the state.

Speaking to the media on Saturday in Vijayawada, Anil said, "Chandrababu’s claim that the floods were man-made and were aimed at inundating his river front house is baseless."

He added, "The water at different reservoirs was released as per the set procedures and only after the reservoirs were full. The crest gates were opened as per the standard operating procedure."

Chandrababu Naidu had earlier alleged that the Krishna river flood was a "man made" one and there was a conspiracy to inundate his river front house in Undavalli. He had demanded an independent inquiry into the flood management.

He had also alleged that the YSRCP was eager to prepare the ground to shift the state capital from Amaravati, and the floods would be cited as a reason.

Naidu, during a press conference in Vijayawada, had showcased a power point presentation alleging that the water was released deliberately despite adequate gaps in the respective irrigation projects on Krishna river.

Anil Kumar responding on the "faulty" procedure allegations said, "If we had released water as he suggested, it would have created lots of damage and possible submergence of many villages."

Anil has also stated that CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was in constant touch with the officials though he was on a foreign trip and conducted timely reviews.

The recent floods over Krishna river has stroked a fresh political battle between two rival parties. TDP maintained that permitting drones over Naidu's high security zone residence was a breach of security. However, the government said that the drones were used to assess the flood situation in the region. 

On the other hand, B Satyanarayana, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) said that there is a need to re-think if flood prone Amaravati is safe to be capital, and alleged that Naidu's government went ahead with the plan despite environmental concerns.