Hyderabad: BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao on Monday accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of handing over the Kaleshwaram case to the CBI at the behest of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He called the decision politically motivated.
‘Kaleshwaram is lifeline for Hyderabad’
Rama Rao charged the Congress government with spreading false propaganda on the Kaleshwaram project while also claiming credit for its benefits. He said appointing the Justice P.C. Ghose Commission with public funds was a futile exercise. Moreover, he argued that transferring the case to the CBI was only an attempt to sensationalize.
Turning to the Musi rejuvenation project, Rama Rao said it depended on Kaleshwaram waters. “Those who mocked Kaleshwaram as ‘Kuleshwaram’ are now drawing its water to supply Hyderabad. This proves Kaleshwaram is the real lifeline,” he said. He demanded that the Chief Minister apologise for maligning the project while inaugurating new works with its water.
He also criticized the Congress for launching foundation works at Gandipet instead of Mallannasagar, alleging that the government wanted to avoid mentioning Kaleshwaram’s role.
‘No misuse of funds in Medigadda’
Countering the ₹1 lakh crore scam charge, Rama Rao cited a National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) report on Medigadda barrage. He explained that only the seventh block needed repairs and insisted there was no wasteful expenditure. “Not a single rupee was lost in Kaleshwaram. The government is spreading baseless claims while still using Godavari water,” he said.
He recalled that in May 2023, the Cabinet under K. Chandrashekar Rao approved a ₹1,100 crore project to bring Godavari water from Kondapochampally to Hyderabad. According to him, the present government inflated costs and raised the estimate to ₹7,400 crore through irregularities.
‘Corruption behind new approvals’
Rama Rao alleged that the Congress was creating staged scams. He referred to the collapse of the Sunkishala retaining wall. After that incident, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board recommended denylisting a contractor. “The same contractor has now received works worth ₹7,400 crore. This is open loot,” he said.
He further alleged that the government was colluding with contractors to siphon funds and send kickbacks to Delhi to secure political positions. He demanded that the Chief Minister explain why such massive expenditure was being incurred on a project that could have been completed at a fraction of the cost.