Veligonda Project Politics: Jagan Claims Credit as Chandrababu Gets Ready for Big Launch

Andhra Pradesh is witnessing a fresh political battle over credit as the first phase of the historic Veligonda Project is set to be inaugurated by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday. While the coalition government is presenting the project as a major irrigation milestone, former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has claimed that the credit for its completion largely belongs to his father, the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, and his YSR Congress Party government.

Jagan Claims Credit for Veligonda Project

Jagan took to X with a detailed post highlighting the history of the Veligonda project and seeking to attribute much of its progress to successive YSR-led governments.

He pointed out that the project was originally conceived decades ago and alleged that despite the foundation stone being laid during Chandrababu Naidu’s earlier tenure in 1996, significant progress remained limited for several years.

According to Jagan, the Jala Yagnam initiative launched during YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s tenure played a crucial role in developing the project’s core infrastructure, including dams, canals and the twin underground tunnels.

Jagan Highlights Final Tunnel Work

Jagan also claimed credit for his own government, stating that it undertook one of the most challenging remaining components of the project the excavation of the final 10.5 kilometres of the twin tunnels.

He argued that these works were crucial to bringing the long-pending project closer to completion and questioned the coalition government’s claims surrounding the project.

R&R Issue Becomes Another Flashpoint

The former Chief Minister also criticised the Chandrababu Naidu-led government over the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) process.

Jagan alleged that the government had failed to adequately address the concerns of displaced villagers for more than two years, leaving some families waiting for compensation. He accused the ruling alliance of focusing on publicity while seeking credit for a project developed over multiple governments.

Chandrababu Government Pushes Project Towards Finish Line

The ruling coalition, however, maintains that its government played a critical role in removing the remaining hurdles and taking the Veligonda project towards completion.

In recent months, the government has reportedly invested more than ₹2,400 crore on essential works, including feeder canals, head regulators and canal lining.

The administration has also focused on clearing long-pending R&R packages, with compensation being disbursed to displaced families. The government has positioned these measures as essential steps to enable the reservoir to be filled while addressing the concerns of affected communities.

Veligonda Project Turns Into Political Credit Battle

The Veligonda Project is now more than an irrigation milestone it has become another major political credit battle between the TDP-led coalition and YSRCP.

With Chandrababu Naidu set to inaugurate the first phase, the coalition government is highlighting the expenditure and final-stage works completed under its tenure, while Jagan is stressing the contributions of YS Rajasekhara Reddy and his own administration.

The project is expected to provide drinking water to fluoride-affected villages and support irrigation across thousands of acres in the drought-prone regions of Prakasam, Markapuram, Nellore and Kadapa, making its completion politically and economically significant for Andhra Pradesh.

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