BRS Leader Harishes CM Over Irrigation Project Credits
Senior BRS leader T Harish Rao launched a sharp attack on Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad today. He accused the Congress leader of trying to claim credit for major irrigation projects that were actually built through years of hard work by former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
No New Projects in Two Years
Harish Rao, who served as irrigation minister under the previous government, made a strong statement. He said the Congress government has not constructed a single new irrigation project during its two years in power. "Revanth Reddy's only job has been to cut ribbons for projects completed by KCR," the BRS leader claimed. "He projects them as his own achievements."
The former minister used a powerful analogy to make his point. "Like a son who inherits good fortune without effort, Revanth Reddy became chief minister and found ready-made projects," Harish Rao stated. He added that appointment letters were also prepared by the previous administration. "Instead of focusing on governance and development, he is busy stealing credit."
Specific Project Allegations
Harish Rao provided detailed examples to support his accusations:
- Chanaka–Korata Barrage: KCR entered into a historic agreement with Maharashtra and spent Rs 1,200 crore to complete this project. The successful wet run was finished in September 2023 during the BRS government's tenure.
- Land Acquisition Failure: The previous government acquired 1,600 acres of the required 3,200 acres for canal works. The present government has failed to acquire even a single acre in two years.
- Sadarmat Barrage: This project with a capacity of 1.5 TMC was completed by KCR at a cost of Rs 500 crore. The Congress government failed to store even a drop of water in two years.
Farmers Suffer Due to Inaction
The BRS leader said this failure causes severe injustice to farmers in the erstwhile Adilabad district. "Water could have been supplied to 18,000 acres two years ago," Harish Rao emphasized. "The government failed to do so, depriving farmers of their rightful benefit."
He accused the Congress government of cheating the people of Adilabad. "Your focus is on stealing credit, not on delivering water," Harish Rao charged directly.
Naming Controversy and Historical Context
Harish Rao also objected to naming the Lower Penganga project after C Ramachandra Reddy. He stated the project was built by BRS. "Naming it after a person who did nothing for it is an insult to the sentiments of Adilabad people," he said.
The senior leader connected current issues with historical patterns. "The backwardness of Adilabad and migration from Palamuru were the result of decades of Congress rule," he asserted.
Direct Challenge to Government
Harish Rao posed a direct question about the Tummidihatti project. "Why did you fail to even lift a handful of soil at Tummidihatti in two years after promising a project there?" he questioned.
He issued a clear challenge to the government. "Prove your claims by bringing water from Tummidihatti to Yellampalli through gravity," Harish Rao demanded. "If you cannot, apologise to the people for lying just to gain power."
The strong statements from the senior BRS leader highlight ongoing political tensions in Telangana. They focus on irrigation development, a critical issue for the state's agricultural community. The allegations suggest significant differences in how the previous and current governments approach infrastructure projects and credit attribution.
