Harish Rao accuses Revanth Reddy of stealing credit for BRS projects

Durgam Cheruvu, once a popular tourist attraction in Hyderabad’s IT corridor, is facing severe weed and algal infestation. Visitors have complained of foul smell and limited boating, blaming administrative inaction for the lake’s deteriorating condition.

Hyderabad: Former Minister and senior BRS leader T Harish Rao slammed Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, accusing him of shamelessly claiming credit for irrigation projects completed under the previous BRS regime. He said the Chief Minister reduced governance to photo-ops and ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

In a statement, Harish Rao said Revanth Reddy had inherited ready-made projects and job appointment letters for jobs filled during former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao‘s tenure. However, he said the Chief Minister failed to add even a brick of his own in two years of Congress rule, leave alone launching new projects. He said the Congress government was repainting over BRS projects and naming them after Congress leaders to mislead the public.

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Targeting the Chief Minister inaugurating the Chanaka-Korata and Sadarmat barrages in erstwhile Adilabad on Friday, the former Irrigation Minister said the Congress government had not acquired even an acre of land nor provided water to a single acre in Adilabad on its own. In contrast, he said Chandrashekhar Rao had signed interstate agreements with Maharashtra, completed 90-95 per cent of both projects, built pump houses, and conducted wet runs.

He accused the government of deceiving farmers by delaying canal works and land acquisition, depriving irrigation facility for around 18,000 acres two years. He said the Congress had shown more enthusiasm to claim credit, than completing the pending works. “After wasting two years, the Chief Minister is cutting ribbons now and boasting which is peak of deceit,” he said.

Harish Rao also slammed the government for naming the Chanaka-Korata barrage after former MLA C Ramachandra Reddy who won twice but did not complete Lower Penganga project, calling it an insult to the people of Adilabad who struggled for irrigation over decades.

He challenged the Chief Minister to deliver on his own promises, especially the much-publicised Tummidihatti project, asking why the Congress did not initiate the works despite criticising BRS-initiated lift irrigation model. “If gravity canals are possible, prove it and bring water to Yellampalli from Tummidihatti,” he dared.

On the State finances, the senior BRS MLA accused the Revanth Reddy government of spreading lies about BRS-era debt while hiding its own borrowing. He asked why the Chief Minister was resorting to false propaganda when the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) as well as Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka in his budget speech, declared that the total outstanding debts during the BRS regime was Rs 4.17 lakh crore.

He stated that the Congress had pushed Telangana deeper into debt of Rs 2.5 lakh crore in just two years, without delivering a single major project. He demanded a white paper on where the money had gone.

Harish Rao also condemned the arrest of BRS leaders and activists ahead of the Chief Minister’s visit on Friday, calling it a sign of panic and insecurity. “Engraving your name on foundation stones is not governance. Real leadership is working in a way that earns a place in people’s hearts, not stealing credit for KCR’s work,” he remarked.