Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Mar 29: Telangana chief minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday questioned the Centre’s inaction over alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project, despite the state government handing over the probe to the CBI.

Addressing the State Legislative Assembly, he asked why no steps had been taken against former chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao. He urged BJP leaders from the state to raise the issue with the central government.

The chief minister also criticised legislators from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), accusing them of frequently disrupting proceedings and leaving the House after making demands.

His remarks came in response to BJP MLA Venkataramana Reddy supporting the BRS demand for a House Committee to investigate allegations of corruption and illegal mining against Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. The BJP member had suggested that accepting this demand would help ensure smoother functioning of the Assembly.

Countering this, Revanth Reddy recalled earlier accusations made by BJP leaders, who had described the Kaleshwaram project as a financial “ATM” for KCR. He noted that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had alleged financial misconduct involving KCR’s family. He also referred to Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who had claimed swift action would follow if the case were handed over to the CBI.

“Trusting those assurances, we transferred the investigation to the CBI. However, even after several months, no action has been taken,” the Chief Minister said.

He went on to allege a tacit understanding between the BJP and BRS, claiming that both parties had cooperated electorally during the Parliamentary polls. He added that BJP leaders should first ensure action against KCR and Harish Rao before offering suggestions in the Assembly.

Revanth Reddy also levelled fresh allegations against Harish Rao’s family, claiming that his younger brother had coerced industrial landowners in Mahabubnagar district and used the Dharani portal to transfer large tracts of land. He said the government was open to forming a House Committee to investigate these claims if there was agreement from the opposition leaders.

Meanwhile, ruling party members strongly objected to the BRS stalling Assembly proceedings over the demand for a House Committee probe into illegal mining. They argued that the government had already demonstrated its intent by ordering a CB-CID investigation into alleged irregularities dating back to 2014.

State Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu stated that a separate House Committee was unnecessary, given that an official probe was already underway.