Dasoju Sravan Slams Congress Over Drought Response and Varuna Yagam

In a statement issued in Hyderabad on 11 August 2026, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC Dasoju Sravan launched a sharp attack on the ruling Congress government over its failure to prepare for drought conditions across Telangana. Sravan specifically criticized the state government’s decision to perform a Varuna Yagam at Nagarjuna Sagar, labeling the ritual a diversion tactic to cover up administrative lapses.

Sravan stated that the government had ignored early warnings regarding the El Nino phenomenon issued by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD). According to the BRS leader, the state administration failed to conduct a comprehensive review or prepare a contingency plan to address the impact of deficient rainfall across the state.

Highlighting failures in the irrigation sector, Sravan pointed out that the government failed to carry out even minor repairs at the Medigadda barrage. Consequently, River Godavari floodwaters were allowed to flow downstream rather than being diverted and utilized for Telangana’s irrigation requirements. He also blamed the Agriculture Department for failing to assist farmers, noting a lack of field-level guidance from agricultural extension officials, failure to promote alternative crops, and non-supply of suitable seed varieties.

Addressing financial preparedness, the BRS MLC alleged that the State Budget contained no dedicated drought mitigation fund. He noted that the budget lacked necessary financial allocations for crop compensation, fodder security, and drinking water management.

Sravan further criticized the government's reliance on religious ceremonies, noting that the Congress had previously accused BRS leader T Harish Rao of performing rituals to prevent rainfall. He stated that the government must fulfill its administrative responsibilities before seeking divine intervention, demanding an explanation from the ruling party to the state's farmers.