KTR criticised Revanth for lack of action against MEIL after Sunkisala Project collapse and asked why ED has "never touched the Congress."
Published Nov 06, 2024 | 5:27 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 06, 2024 | 5:27 PM
KTR at a media briefing in Hyderabad
BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Wednesday, 6 November, alleged that Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy flouted all norms while entrusting the ₹4,350 crore Kodangal Lift Irrigation Scheme to Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL) and Raghava Constructions.
Speaking to media persons at the Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad, the BRS leader said that the state government had awarded the work to PV Krishna Reddy-led MEIL and Raghav constructions owned by Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy’s son.
He accused the government of deliberately disqualifying reputed companies such as Larsen and Toubro, and NCC at the technical bid stage, alleging that these firms were deemed unqualified to undertake the project.
KTR also criticised the state government for not taking action against MEIL, despite an engineering experts’ committee recommending that the company be blacklisted after the collapse of the retaining wall at the Sunkisala Project.
The BRS leader recalled Revanth Reddy likening MEIL to East India Company when Congress was the opposition and wondered how the same company had become his hot favourite now in awarding the works.
Asking why the chief minister was not taking action against MEIL – which Revanth had described as an Andhra company working in both states – even after the collapse of the retaining wall of the Sunkisala project. He recalled demanding a judicial inquiry into the disaster but it fell on deaf ears of the government.
Rama Rao also criticised the state government for not taking action against MEIL, despite an engineering experts’ committee recommending that the company be blacklisted after the collapse of the retaining wall at the Sunkisala Project.
The BRS leader pointed out that while the state government had made a public outcry over the sinking of piers at the Medigadda project, it had remained tight-lipped about the Sunkisala incident.
Rama Rao charged that Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and MEIL’s Krishna Reddy, with the support of Revanth Reddy, have been cornering all contracts.
He sought an explanation on why the state government awarded ₹4,350 crore Kondagal Lift Irrigation Scheme to MEIL at a time when it deserved to be blacklisted after the Sunkisala fiasco. “This project has to be scrapped forthwith but it was split into two halves between them as if it is a cake,” he remarked.
KTR wanted to know the chief minister’s share in ₹4,350 crore, the cost of the Kodangal Lift Irrigation Project and how much of it is going to the Congress top brass in Delhi. He also wondered whether the ₹200 crore donation to Revanth Reddy by MEIL – for use in the construction of Skill University – was in an expression of gratitude to him.
The BRS leader accused the Congress leadership in Telangana of being involved in yet another scam under the guise of the Musi Rejuvenation Project. He pointed out that the government had increased the project’s estimated cost from ₹1,100 crore to ₹5,500 crore and claimed that the Musi project was also being awarded to MEIL.
Rama Rao warned government officials that if they went ahead and signed contracts as directed by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, they would face consequences when the BRS came to power.
The BRS working president also questioned how Revanth Reddy could take up such projects while claiming the state’s finances were in dire condition.
“Is he looking to award contracts to MEIL in exchange for kickbacks?” Rama Rao asked. “Revanth Reddy has already sent money bags to Maharashtra and is now preparing to send more to his bosses in Delhi,” he added.
The BRS leader raised concerns about Revanth Reddy’s ties with Raghava Constructions, owned by Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy’s son. Rama Rao said it was a clear conflict of interest. “How can Revanth Reddy award work to Raghava Constructions knowing its ownership?” he asked.
He also accused Revanth Reddy of rewarding his brother-in-law with lucrative Amrut 2.0 contracts and irrigation projects, including those awarded to MEIL and Raghava Constructions.
Rama Rao sought to know the actions central investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) were taking when the Congress government was plundering the state.
“These agencies pounce on the BRS at the slightest opportunity but never touch the Congress regime in the state,” he said and pointed out that even Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar had remained silent on these alleged scams.
In a pointed attack on Congress leader Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Rama Rao ridiculed him for predicting the arrest of BRS leaders.
“Let him first know that he (Ponguleti) would be arrested first,” he remarked. He also criticised the BJP for failing to act against Revanth Reddy, despite allegations that the chief minister was collecting an “RRR Tax” during the campaign for the Assembly elections.
He alleged that the Chief Minister was collecting ₹100 per square yard from builders as part of this RRR tax, yet the Centre had remained indifferent. He also asked why the BJP was silent on the ED raids at Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy’s residence.
Despite the mounting pressure, Rama Rao made it clear that he would not back down. “I know I may face a tough time uncovering the scams under Revanth Reddy’s watch,” he said. “But I am not afraid and will continue to fight for the people.”
Referring to the sinking of piers at the Medigadda barrage of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS), the BRS leader said he still harboured suspicions that the Congress had sabotaged the project to shift the blame to the then Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
“Congress leaders, deep down in their hearts, want the Medigadda project to be washed away,” he claimed.
He added that he was yet to receive a response to his letter to the Centre regarding how the ₹1,100 crore Amrut 2.0 works could be awarded to the CM’s brother-in-law. KTR vowed, “I will not rest until I strip the Congress and BJP leaders naked before people by exposing their deeds,” he proclaimed.
(Edited by Neena)
