BRS protests CBI probe into Kaleshwaram, says Congress downfall will begin in Siddipet
Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Tuesday staged coordinated protests across Siddipet district, condemning the Congress government’s decision to order a CBI probe into the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project. BRS leaders accused the state government of targeting leaders K. Chandrashekar Rao and T. Harish Rao for providing water to farmers.
Protests erupted in Siddipet town and across the mandals of Chinnakodur, Nangunur, Narayanraopet, and Palamakula. Demonstrations included dharnas, road blockades, and the burning of effigies of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. BRS workers displayed a 100-metre banner at Ranganayaka Sagar reservoir reading, “This is Kaleshwaram,” in response to allegations of project failure.
Former MLC Farooq Hussain, state secretary Radhakrishna Sharma, ex-Municipal Chairman Rajanarsu, and other senior leaders led the protests. Speaking at the rallies, BRS leaders said the Congress government had betrayed Telangana by launching an inquiry against those who made irrigation possible for the state’s farmers.
“This is the land that birthed Telangana’s struggle, and the downfall of the Congress will begin here,” said the leaders. They questioned why the government had targeted the architects of the irrigation system rather than fulfilling its pre-election promises.
“Is the CBI probe meant to punish us for giving water to farmers?” they asked, adding that the presence of water in Ranganayaka Sagar itself was proof of Kaleshwaram’s success.
The protests drew large participation from BRS ranks, including former municipal officials, PACS chairmen, ex-MPPs, student leaders, and village-level representatives. Protesters raised slogans urging the Chief Minister to visit the reservoir himself and witness the flowing waters attributed to Kaleshwaram.
They also criticised the Congress for making hollow guarantees before the elections and failing to deliver on them. “Revanth Reddy has no public trust left. Instead of implementing the six guarantees, he is running a smear campaign against Kaleshwaram,” said one party leader.