Kaleshwaram Project Controversy: BRS Leaders Launch ‘Chalo Medigadda’ Campaign
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders embarked on a significant journey to the Medigadda barrage as part of their ‘Chalo Medigadda’ initiative aimed at combating what they perceive as propaganda by the Congress government against the Kaleshwaram project. Led by BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao, the delegation, comprising MLAs, MLCs, and MPs, departed from Telangana Bhavan, the party headquarters in Hyderabad, with the notable absence of BRS President and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.
Medigadda Barrage Controversy: Political and Structural Challenges
The backdrop of this visit is the controversy surrounding the Medigadda barrage, where some piers sank in October the previous year, prompting the intervention of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). Both the Congress and BJP capitalized on the situation, alleging corruption and flaws in design and execution. The Congress government, since assuming power, ordered judicial and vigilance inquiries into the matter, exacerbating the political tension surrounding the project.
BRS Leaders’ Stand and Objectives
Ahead of the visit, K. T. Rama Rao reiterated the purpose of their endeavor, emphasizing the need to elucidate the benefits of the Kaleshwaram project to the public and urging immediate repairs to prevent agricultural setbacks. The BRS leaders condemned what they perceived as the Congress government’s prioritization of politics over farmers’ welfare, alleging a deliberate neglect of repairing damaged piers.
Rebutting Allegations and Advocating for Farmers
Senior BRS figures, including former Assembly Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao, defended the project, refuting allegations and advocating for timely repairs to safeguard farmers’ interests. They accused the Congress of engaging in misinformation campaigns and emphasized the need for rectification without politicizing the issue. Through the ‘Chalo Medigadda’ campaign, the BRS aims to remind the government of its duty and educate the public on the project’s merits.
Harish Rao’s Presentation and Resolute Stance
During the visit, T. Harish Rao delivered a detailed presentation elucidating the project’s features and the benefits it brings to the state, underscoring the BRS’s commitment to protecting farmers’ rights and addressing structural concerns without succumbing to political agendas.
