The controversy began when a journalist asked Reddy how farmers would cope if drought-like conditions persisted and irrigation water remained unavailable for crops. In response, Reddy turned his answer into a direct attack on the BRS leadership, invoking violent imagery about the two leaders and suggesting they bore responsibility for the state's troubles, accusing them of lying to the public. He went on to say the two needed corrective treatment and joked about sending experts to examine them, saying the government would cover the cost.

The underlying dispute centers on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. The BRS has argued that despite drought conditions, sufficient water is available and that the Congress government should release it from the Kannepalli pump house. The state government has countered that it is following recommendations from the National Dam Safety Authority, which has advised against holding water in the barrages over safety concerns. Reddy, defending his government's handling of the issue, said efforts to restore the project were already underway.

BRS MLA T Harish Rao objected strongly to the Chief Minister's language, demanding an unconditional apology. He told reporters he had simply asked the government to release water for farmers' fields, and that Reddy had responded by talking about spilling his blood instead. He questioned whether such language was appropriate from someone holding a constitutional post, and said he was prepared to give his own blood if that was truly the price of getting water to farmers.

BRS working president KTR fired back on X, calling the Chief Minister bloodthirsty and accusing him of having tormented Telangana for six decades. He said his party was willing to make any sacrifice for farmers and repeated the demand that the government release water to the fields. He argued that the BRS was the party that had fought for the state until suffering real losses in the process, and said they remained ready to keep making sacrifices — but that the government needed to address farmers' actual water needs rather than trading accusations.

Neither side has signalled any de-escalation, and with drought conditions persisting and the dam safety recommendations still in place, the underlying irrigation dispute remains unresolved even as the political fallout from Reddy's remarks continues to dominate the conversation.