NDSA report timing smacks of political conspiracy, BJP-Congress collusion

It is learned that under pressure from BJP leaders and the Congress government, the NDSA had sent the report to the Chief Secretary, fuelling the possibilities of a political conspiracy aimed at discrediting BRS leadership

Hyderabad: The release of the National Dam Safety Authority’s (NDSA) report on the Medigadda Barrage to the State government on Thursday, nearly three months after the authority had submitted it to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, smacks of a political conspiracy to discredit the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, given that it comes just two days ahead of the party’s silver jubilee meeting at Warangal.

The timing of the NDSA report’s release raises serious questions about the political motives behind it, as the BRS silver jubilee meeting is expected to draw massive crowds, with roads leading to Warangal already bustling with activity and social media abuzz with posts saying that people were waiting for BRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao to go all guns blazing on the Congress government. What further strengthens this is the manner in which the State government and the Centre have gone about the report.

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In an unprecedented move, a copy of the report was mailed to Telangana Chief Secretary, even before the submission of the hard copy. Then a team of State officials flew to New Delhi on Thursday to meet with Jal Shakti Secretary Debashish Mukherji and other key figures, including the Central Water Commission (CWC) chairman, during the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting. This hurry is after the NDSA report was submitted way back in February.

It is learned that under pressure from BJP leaders and the Congress government here, the NDSA had reportedly sent the report to the Chief Secretary, further fuelling the possibilities of a political conspiracy aimed at discrediting the BRS leadership. The party leadership had implemented the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIS) during its tenure to address the water needs of drought-stricken regions in the State.

“This is nothing but a calculated move to undermine the BRS leadership. The timing of the report’s release is no coincidence, but rather a deliberate attempt by the two national parties – BJP and Congress – to tarnish the BRS image ahead of its landmark event,” BRS leaders said.

The report, submitted to the Ministry of Jal Shakti in February, was deliberately kept under wraps for over two months. It was neither shared with the State government officials nor with the CWC. Sources suggest that Jal Shakti officials were dissatisfied with the report’s findings, citing incomplete studies that warranted a more comprehensive review. At one point, it was anticipated that the report would be returned to the NDSA for further examination.

As Chandrashekhar Rao is said to be preparing to launch a scathing attack on the Congress government’s failures from the Warangal dais, especially at a time when the public mood is simmering against the Congress, the timing of the report’s release is being viewed as a strategic ploy to shift focus and create uncertainty among farmers under KLIS and the party supporters.