BRS sees political motives in Congress govt’s SIT, selective use of Justice Ghose report
In a strong rebuttal to the government's allegations on Monday, former Minister and senior BRS leader S Niranjan Reddy questioned the sanctity of, and the Congress government's intent behind, selective leaks of the Justice PC Ghose Commission report
Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Monday questioned the sanctity of the Justice PC Ghose Commission report and doubted the very intent behind the report, which forms the basis for the Congress government’s move to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT). It also criticised the government for releasing only a summary of the Commission’s report while withholding the full text from public scrutiny.
Alleging a larger conspiracy by the Congress to discredit the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), the party said the partial release of the Commission report and appointment of the SIT were attempts to divert public attention from the ruling party’s failed promises ahead of the local body elections.
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In a strong rebuttal to the government’s allegations on Monday, former Minister and senior BRS leader S Niranjan Reddy questioned the sanctity of, and the Congress government’s intent behind, selective leaks of the Justice PC Ghose Commission report.
“How can a SIT be announced when the report has not even been published? Selective leaks to the media before a Cabinet discussion clearly point to malafide intent,” he said, accusing the Congress of using institutions for political vendetta.
The former Minister said the ruling party’s hidden agenda was to divert Godavari water to Andhra Pradesh via Banakacherla, and was deliberately portraying Kaleshwaram as a failed project to justify its inaction.
“This is a conspiracy to stall repairs and further development of KLIP,” he said, also hitting out at Congress for questioning the design and location change of the project from Tummidi Hatti to Medigadda.
“The shift was made after careful consideration, including objections from Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, and most importantly, clearance from the Central Water Commission (CWC). Without approvals from the CWC and other Central organisations, the project would not have moved forward, which is known very well to all,” he said.
Drawing parallels with decisions of previous Congress governments, including the shift of the Nagarjuna Sagar site from Yeleswaram to Nandikonda to benefit the Andhra region, he said the Congress was calling decisions of the BRS wrong while forgetting its own history.
The BRS leader also questioned the credibility of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), alleging bias, as its chairman was closely associated with the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh.
“Why should we not suspect ulterior motives when Andhra Pradesh leaders, including N Chandrababu Naidu, had repeatedly opposed Telangana’s irrigation projects and are now conspiring to divert Godavari River water to loot Telangana’s water rights?” he asked.
Niranjan Reddy justified the cost escalation of the Kaleshwaram project, noting that upon full completion, the project had already transformed Telangana’s agriculture and water security.
“When we demitted office, Rs 94,000 crore had been spent, and the project had begun delivering drinking water, enhancing paddy production and boosting fish farming, besides catering to irrigation and industrial needs,” he said.
Taking aim at Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the BRS leader said the former was acting in the interests of Andhra Pradesh. “The Palamuru-Rangareddy project, which was 90 per cent complete, remains stalled under this government. Their priority is not Telangana’s development but appeasing Andhra leadership,” he said.
He warned that BRS would not stay silent and would challenge the Commission’s findings legally, if needed, after the full report was made public.
“We are not inclined to attribute any personal agenda to Justice PC Ghose, but the selective use of his report by the Congress is politically motivated,” he asserted.
