BJP president questions govt. for not acting against politicians, contractors responsible for Kaleshwaram project lapses

The BJP has claimed that the Justice P.C. Ghosh Commission appointed to probe into the controversial Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme had revealed only a ‘few facts’, hence it warranted a full fledged investigation by the CBI to ferret out the entire truth, on Wednesday.

Telangana State party president and former MLC N. Ramchander Rao also questioned why the Congress government has not arrested ‘politicians’ and ‘contractors’ involved in the project construction and maintenance lapses after arresting ‘some officials’ only.

“It is because of a nexus between the ruling Congress and BRS” he asked, while addressing the media at Sirpur Kagaznagar in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district as part of his ongoing tour. Mr. Rao has asserted that the party has never opposed projects that benefits the farmers but had opposed the corruption in Kaleshwaram project. The BRS leaders, including former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and family, had used the project as an ‘ATM’ and misused thousands of crores of rupees, he alleged.

Poor quality of construction has led to cracks in the Medigadda barrage and other works. The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) had clearly pointed out to the design flaws and quality deficiencies, said the BJP leader.

The former MLC also wanted the State government to consider construction of a separate project at the confluence of Wardha and Wainganga rivers near Tummadihatti to solve the water shortage of the region and irrigate about 2.5 lakh acres.

If the Congress government prepares a detailed project report (DPR) and sends the same to the Central government for approval, there would be total cooperation, he said. The BJP leader said the Congress government is no different from the previous regime and has been diverting the funds disbursed by the Centre for development of villages for other purposes.

The Centre is prepared to approve an airport in Asifabad district if the State government provides the land, he assured and explained that national highway projects worth ₹3,900 crore have been initiated in the area. Replying to a question on ‘Operation Akarsh’ the BJP chief said politicians are ‘voluntarily’ approaching the party since they consider it to be the only alternative in Telangana.