Telangana CM Slams Predecessor for Skipping Assembly, Exposes Corruption in Irrigation Projects

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy criticized former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao for skipping the Assembly session and addressing a party meeting instead. He revealed preliminary findings of a vigilance inquiry into the Medigadda barrage incident, exposing design flaws and corruption in the Kaleshwaram project.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday criticized his predecessor and BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao for not participating in the ongoing Assembly session and addressing crucial irrigation issues, while choosing to attend a party-organized meeting in Nalgonda.

Medigadda Barrage Inquiry Highlights Defects, Corruption

Speaking to the media after visiting the Medigadda barrage, whose piers had sunk last year, Revanth Reddy revealed that the preliminary report of the state government's vigilance inquiry highlighted significant defects in project designs, construction, and maintenance. The Medigadda barrage is part of the massive Kaleshwaram irrigation project on the Godavari river.

The Chief Minister pointed out the substantial increase in project estimates, from approximately Rs 1,800 crore to over Rs 4,000 crore, solely for the Medigadda barrage. He also mentioned media reports citing the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) findings of large-scale corruption in the Kaleshwaram project, involving the misappropriation of thousands of crores of rupees.

Congress Seeks Debate on Irrigation Corruption, BRS President Counters

Revanth Reddy stated that the Congress government intended to initiate a debate during the ongoing budget session of the Assembly on the corruption in irrigation projects, based on CAG and vigilance reports, and after releasing a white paper on relevant issues. However, he alleged that the BRS president, sensing potential exposure of his alleged corruption, chose to launch a counterattack by addressing a public meeting in Nalgonda, accusing the government of handing over projects on the Krishna river to the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), thereby harming the state's interests.

Revanth Reddy Criticizes Rao's Absence, Invites Him to Assembly

Revanth Reddy emphasized that if Rao were truly honest, he would have attended the Assembly session to address the corruption allegations. He highlighted that Rao and the BJP failed to visit the Medigadda barrage despite the government's invitation. The Chief Minister asserted that the Medigadda and Kaleshwaram projects suffered due to Rao's alleged corruption.

Responding to Rao's comments that he could have advised the Congress government on the transfer of Krishna river projects to the KRMB, Revanth Reddy clarified that the Congress government had sought Rao's presence in the Assembly. He even requested the Speaker to adjourn the House to facilitate Rao's participation in the session. Referring to Rao's criticism of the resolution passed by the Assembly, Revanth Reddy questioned why BRS MLA T Harish Rao had supported it.

Revanth Reddy Targets BJP, Calls for All-Party Delegation to Delhi

Revanth Reddy also criticized the BJP for not visiting the Medigadda barrage and labeled the saffron party as a "secret friend" of the BRS. In response to Union Minister and state BJP president G Kishan Reddy's call for a CBI investigation into the alleged corruption in the Medigadda barrage, Revanth Reddy pointed out that the government had already ordered a judicial inquiry. He questioned the BJP's lack of faith in the judicial process.

State Irrigation Minister Alleges Kaleshwaram Scam

State Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged a scam in the Kaleshwaram project and asserted that such a shameful incident had never occurred in independent India. Meanwhile, addressing reporters in Warangal, Kishan Reddy questioned why the ruling Congress was not seeking a CBI probe into the Medigadda barrage, despite advocating for it before the Assembly polls. He accused the Congress government and Revanth Reddy of lacking sincerity in conducting a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

The ongoing controversy surrounding the Medigadda barrage and the Kaleshwaram irrigation project has intensified with the exchange of accusations between the Telangana Chief Minister and the BRS president. As the state government pursues investigations into alleged corruption, the fate of these crucial irrigation projects remains uncertain, impacting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in Telangana.