Congress Objective Is to Harass KCR: Harish Rao

BRS leader and former minister Harish Rao addressed a gathering at Telangana Bhavan where he gave a detailed presentation on the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project. To ensure that karyakartas across districts could follow the presentation, LED screens were installed at district headquarters. During the session, Harish Rao strongly criticized the Telangana Congress government, stating that its primary agenda seems to be harassing former CM KCR.

Rao highlighted that the one-man commission investigating Kaleshwaram has unfairly placed complete blame on KCR for the alleged failure of the project. The report also names Harish Rao, Eatala Rajender, secretary Smita Sabharwal, and others. Rao emphasized that the Kaleshwaram project was built after a rare historic agreement with Maharashtra, and he likened the situation to when British engineer Sir Arthur Cotton faced criticism for constructing the Dhawaleswaram barrage.

According to Harish Rao, the current government has not disclosed the full contents of the commission report. He accused CM Revanth Reddy of abandoning governance in favor of political witch-hunts, setting up commissions either to extract money from the public or to trouble opposition leaders. Rao claimed that both Congress and BJP are working in coordination to defame the BRS.

He further pointed out that even though the Kaleshwaram project experienced damages multiple times, the NDASA (National Dam Safety Authority) did not inspect the site, but conveniently produced a report now, just ahead of the local body elections. Rao questioned the timing and motives behind such a move.

Calling it a one-sided and politically biased report, Rao reminded that the central government had given all necessary permissions for the project. Blaming the project now, he said, indirectly accuses the Centre. As a Chief Minister, overseeing Kaleshwaram’s construction was KCR’s duty, and Rao expressed confidence that such politically driven commissions wouldn’t hold up in court or in the eyes of the public.

He questioned the Congress government’s progress over the past two years and said it intends to capitalize on Kaleshwaram politically for the next three years. Rao alleged their ultimate goal is to use this project as an excuse to divert waters toward Banakacharla.

Rao also pointed out the contradiction in the Congress narrative. On one hand, they label Kaleshwaram a failure, while on the other, they speak of bringing Godavari water to Musi through the same system. Rao concluded by stating that Kaleshwaram is a major boon for Telangana, and even CM Revanth Reddy knows that.