BRS counters Revanth Reddy over Palamuru-Rangareddy project remarks

BRS leaders S Niranjan Reddy and RS Praveen Kumar criticised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy over the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, alleging Congress had opposed the project and accusing the State government of acting on ideas influenced by Andhra Pradesh leaders.

Hyderabad: Hitting back at Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy‘s criticism of the BRS government over the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS), the BRS on Saturday reminded that it was the Congress party that had filed cases against the project.

Taking a swipe at the Chief Minister, former Minister S Niranjan Reddy said it was good that Revanth Reddy had finally found time to inspect the PRLIS works after two and a half years.

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Addressing a press conference here, Niranjan Reddy alleged that the Congress party had historically betrayed the Palamuru region. He accused Congress leaders of instigating legal cases against the Palamuru-Rangareddy project and said the BRS government had secured all necessary clearances despite legal challenges filed by the Andhra Pradesh government.

“Why is Revanth Reddy not speaking about the DPR that was returned? And who is Chandrababu Naidu to issue an NOC?” Niranjan Reddy asked. He said the Jurala project alone could not meet the irrigation requirements of the erstwhile Palamuru region. He also pointed out that it took the Congress and the TDP nearly four decades to complete the Jurala project.

Niranjan Reddy alleged that the Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka governments were colluding to prevent River Krishna water from reaching the Jurala project. While 90 TMC of water was required for PRLIS, Revanth Reddy was claiming that 45 TMC was sufficient, he stated. “Whatever Revanth Reddy says will eventually backfire on him,” Niranjan Reddy said.

Naidu’s ideas being implemented in Telangana through Revanth Reddy

BRS General Secretary RS Praveen Kumar alleged that the ideas of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu were being implemented in Telangana through Revanth Reddy.

Referring to the Chief Minister’s recent comments that not everyone wearing a dhoti could become former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Praveen Kumar alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka was being humiliated repeatedly. “Bhatti Vikramarka was humiliated and made to sit on the floor at Yadadri temple. Are SCs not allowed to wear a dhoti? Shouldn’t an SC leader become Deputy Chief Minister?” he asked.

Praveen Kumar further said that not everyone sitting in the Secretariat could become former Chief Minister and BRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao.

“Revanth Reddy must prove himself by winning the next Assembly elections. People across the State are saying ‘Ab Ki Baar BRS Sarkar’,” he said.

Detailing what he described as conspiracies against Telangana, Praveen Kumar questioned the appointment of Aditya Nath Das, a former Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary, as Irrigation Advisor. “Revanth Reddy should terminate the services of Aditya Nath Das immediately,” he demanded.

Praveen Kumar also questioned whether Revanth Reddy would speak out against his Karnataka counterpart DK Shivakumar. “Funds were diverted from the Valmiki Corporation in Karnataka to Telangana for the 2023 Assembly elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu are attempting to loot Telangana’s wealth,” he alleged.