BRS MLA and former Minister T Harish Rao found himself in the firing line, with the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, legislative and revenue ministers, and several MLAs objecting to the points he raised in defence of the Kaleshwaram Project.
Published Sep 01, 2025 | 5:08 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 01, 2025 | 5:08 PM
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy
Synopsis: Veteran BRS leader and former Minister Harish Rao single-handedly defended his party amid scathing attacks from the ruling Congress and several MLAs, as the Legislative Assembly’s debate on the hotly contested PC Ghose Commission report on the Kaleshwaram Project stretched into the early hours of Monday. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced that the case would be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation, describing it as beyond the scope of a state probe.
The war of words between the ruling Congress and the Opposition Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) in the Telangana Legislative Assembly continued into the early hours of Monday, 1 September, as members debated the Justice PC Ghose Commission report on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).
The marathon session, which began on Sunday afternoon and stretched for eight hours, saw fiery speeches, counter-charges, walkouts, and a surprise announcement from Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy: the case being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“To ensure impartial justice, I am handing Kaleshwaram to the CBI. This involves interstate issues and national agencies, it cannot be probed by the state alone,” the Chief Minister announced.
Meanwhile, BRS MLA and former Minister T Harish Rao found himself in the firing line, with the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, legislative and revenue ministers, and several MLAs objecting to the points he raised in defence of the Kaleshwaram Project.
The BRS leader single-handedly defended his party, arguing that the report of the PC Ghose Commission was invalid as it ignored the principle of natural justice. “We [himself and BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao] were not given an opportunity to defend ourselves. No notices were given to us under 8(b) and 8(x) of the Commission of Inquiries Act, and therefore the report is no better than trash,” he said.
In response, Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu asked Harish Rao to desist from raising points that were already before the court. He urged him to speak on the contents of the report and not on technicalities.
“Regardless of how well he argues his case, the Assembly cannot give him relief. It is the court that has to give relief, and we are also bound by the decisions of the court,” Babu said.
Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy began his presentation when the House reassembled after recess at about 4.50 pm on Sunday. His attack set the tone for the debate.
“Kaleshwaram is India’s biggest man-made financial disaster, a ₹1.47 lakh crore scam engineered by KCR and his men,” he said, accusing former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and Harish Rao of ignoring expert warnings, bypassing clearances, and altering designs, which led to the collapse of piers in the Medigadda barrage.
The BRS benches erupted instantly. Harish Rao shouted back, waving documents: “Only two piers have sunk somewhat. The report is politically motivated. Kaleshwaram brought water to the fields.”
When Revanth Reddy took the floor, the temperature in the House rose further. “Kaleshwaram is a death warrant signed by KCR. He and Harish Rao looted ₹1 lakh crore. They sank the project into the sand and the state into a debt trap,” the Chief Minister charged.
“We have already repaid ₹49,835 crore, including nearly ₹30,000 crore in interest. Another ₹60,000 crore remains. This project has bankrupted Telangana.”
Harish Rao hit back: “How can you call it looting? Kaleshwaram turned Telangana into a rice bowl. Your commission did not hear our arguments, violating principles of natural justice – we have already challenged it in court.”
Revanth’s response dripped with sarcasm: “Your rice bowl is now a debt trap! You borrowed ₹85,449 crore at 11.5 percent interest. Did you think Telangana is your personal ATM?”
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Palvai Harish accused the BRS of treating Kaleshwaram as a “personal fiefdom.”
“Where is the accountability for ₹1.47 lakh crore? The people of Telangana deserve answers,” he said. The remarks delighted Congress members but provoked Harish Rao, who shot back: “Kaleshwaram’s success is in the fields.”
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka added his own jab: “Projects are designed by engineers, but Kaleshwaram was designed by the egos of KCR and Harish Rao.” He quipped that Telangana had “watched live on October 21, 2023, as Medigadda collapsed.” His remarks triggered another uproar, with BRS members storming the well and demanding an apology.
One of the most dramatic moments came late in the night, when AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi launched pointed questions. “The report names KCR and Harish Rao but spares contractors and senior officials. Why this silence? All those guilty, including contractors, should be punished.”
He also demanded clear answers from the Chief Minister on what he intended to do with the Kaleshwaram Project. He asked whether it would be repaired and used or abandoned altogether.
He objected to the government releasing abridged copies of the PC Ghose Commission report to the media before tabling the full report in the Assembly.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
