Harish Slams CM’s Remarks, Alleges Neglect of Irrigation

BRS leader T. Harish Rao on Sunday described Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s recent comments against Opposition leaders as “disturbing” and “unbecoming” of a constitutional office, and alleged that they reflected “lies, abusive language and a disturbing mindset”.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, the former minister said that instead of responding to farmers’ demand for irrigation water, the Prime Minister was talking about “shedding the blood of political opponents” and “beating them with belts”. Rao said it was shocking that such remarks came from a Prime Minister.

He accused the Congress government of deliberately refusing to use the existing Godavari waters despite sufficient flow only to continue its campaign against the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. Referring to CM’s comments on Kaanapali Pump House operations, Rao said the Chief Minister displayed lack of understanding regarding the engineering design of the project and even Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy had to intervene to correct technical inaccuracies.

Rao also claimed that the government has changed its attitude towards retired irrigation engineers, earlier describing them as experts but threatening action against them after they recommended removal of Godavari water to protect farmers in drought conditions.