TDP district president Ambati Joji Reddy flayed Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for inviting Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for the inauguration of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) when the latter had opposed the formation of Telangana State as well as the execution of the project. Talking to newsmen here on Tuesday, he said Mr. Rao has insulted the Telangana martyrs by inviting his A.P. counterpart for the inauguration of the project. He even ridiculed the timing of the inauguration when there is no water in the irrigation project.
Cost escalation
He also found fault with the invitation extended to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis when his government had obstructed the construction of the ambitious Pranahita-Chevella project. He alleged that the TRS government redesigned the Pranahita-Chevella project thereby escalating the project cost to over ₹1 lakh crore only to siphon off commissions. By doing this, the TRS government has pushed the State into a debt trap.
He took a jibe at Mr. Rao saying he at least should invite former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao to the inauguration as he worked relentlessly to ensure completion of the project.
He said the government was unwilling to release a white paper on the Kaleshwaram project as it would expose the true colours of the government. He alleged that the TRS MPs have failed to get the national project status to Kaleshwaram. TDP general secretary Nagula Bala Goud, district leaders N. Rajesham, P. Ravinder, Errabelli Ravinder and others were also present.
