Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Saturday hit back at BJP MP Etela Rajender, dismissing his allegations about the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project as “completely false” and part of a calculated bid to mislead the public.
Nageswara Rao, who served as a member of the Cabinet Sub-Committee during the BRS regime, categorically stated that the sub-committee never discussed the Kaleshwaram project. “The Government Order sanctioning Kaleshwaram was issued before the Cabinet Sub-Committee was even formed,” he clarified. “There was no discussion or approval of this project at the Cabinet level during our tenure. I can personally vouch for that.”
Describing the allegations as an attempt to “create confusion” and “protect those truly responsible,” Nageswara Rao said he would fully cooperate with the ongoing inquiry headed by Justice P.C. Ghose. “I am prepared to submit an affidavit along with all supporting documents to refute these baseless claims,” he asserted.
He emphasised that the Cabinet Sub-Committee was constituted solely to review pending irrigation schemes such as Devadula, Kantanapalli, and Dummugudem, not Kaleshwaram. “Dragging my name into this controversy is both unwarranted and a deliberate political move,” Nageswara Rao charged.
He also accused the BJP of twisting facts to derail the investigation into the project’s irregularities. “This is not just political opportunism — it’s a calculated strategy to deflect attention from the real issues,” he said.
Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture Sri.Tummala Nageswara Rao will Address the Media https://t.co/0xcqeRl2Cw
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Referring to the National Dam Safety Authority’s (NDSA) report, Nageswara Rao noted that the Kaleshwaram project had already been flagged as non-viable. “If that’s the case, why is the BJP trying to shift blame onto the previous government without any credible evidence?” he asked. “The public deserves facts, not fabrications.”
The minister reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability. “I have always served the people with integrity,” he said. “I am prepared to appear before the Commission on my own and share the complete truth.”
