Political Firestorm Around Kaleshwaram Project
Telangana’s Kaleshwaram irrigation project is at the center of a major political clash. Both India’s central government and the state government are aggressively attacking the opposition BRS party over this project, putting them on the defensive.
What is the Kaleshwaram Project?
When BRS was in power, they proudly launched the Kaleshwaram project, calling it the world’s biggest lift irrigation scheme and a stunning engineering feat. It was designed to bring water to drought-prone areas and was a key part of their legacy.
How the Situation Turned Ugly
The project became controversial after the Medigadda barrage, a key part of it, collapsed before the last elections. The current Congress state government accused BRS of corruption and poor construction. Things got worse when Union Hydropower Minister CR Patil claimed that massive funds were wasted because of the project, sparking more debate.
The Barrage Collapse: A Turning Point
The Medigadda barrage failure was a huge blow to BRS. It gave their rivals a powerful weapon. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has repeatedly used this incident to launch political attacks on BRS, questioning their integrity and governance.
Attacks from Parliament and State Assembly
Recently, CM Revanth Reddy alleged in the Assembly that BJP leaders, including Amit Shah, wanted BRS leaders arrested, but no investigation followed. In the Rajya Sabha, when BRS’s KR Suresh Reddy raised irrigation questions, Minister CR Patil immediately brought up Kaleshwaram to counter him, showing how the issue is being used across all platforms.
BRS Struggles to Respond
Political observers note that BRS is finding it hard to fight back. No one is highlighting the project’s benefits anymore. Instead, the central and state governments seem coordinated in their criticism, making it a tough situation for BRS. The project has shifted from a water initiative to a symbol of political rivalry.
