Power Probe to Spur Kaleshwaram action

MAHESH AVADHUTHA I hyderabad

The Telangana Cabinet’s latest decision to hand over the probe into alleged irregularities in power purchase agreements and the Bhadradri and Yadadri thermal power projects to the Central Bureau of Investigation has added a new layer of political intrigue in the state. Chaired by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, the move is being seen not merely as an administrative step, but as a calculated political strategy aimed at forcing action from the Centre.

What makes this decision striking is the backdrop against which it comes. The state government had already requested a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in  Medigadda barrage collapse as part of the Kaleshwaram project. However, months after the request, there has been no visible progress from the central agency. This delay has drawn sharp criticism from the ruling Congress, which has accused the BJP-led Centre of deliberately stalling the probe to K. Chandrashekar Rao and T. Harish Rao.

Against this tense political backdrop, the Cabinet’s decision to entrust yet another high-profile case to the CBI appears paradoxical at first glance. However, government sources suggest this is a deliberate pressure tactic. By handing over a second major case involving alleged power sector irregularities, the state is effectively placing the ball in the Centre’s court. The message is clear: continued inaction will strengthen the Congress narrative that the BJP and BRS are working in tandem.

The Congress leadership believes that if the CBI continues to delay both investigations, it will provide the party with a powerful political argument ahead of future electoral battles. The allegation of a tacit understanding between the BJP and BRS could gain traction among voters if the Centre is seen as selectively inactive on corruption cases involving regional rivals.

At the same time, this move is also designed to corner the Centre into action. According to political observers, the Centre may now face increased pressure to at least initiate one of the probes to avoid political embarrassment. In such a scenario, the earlier request concerning the Kaleshwaram project could take precedence, given its scale, public attention, and the serious nature of the allegations surrounding structural failures and financial irregularities.

If the CBI eventually launches an investigation into Kaleshwaram, it could significantly alter Telangana’s political landscape. The probe would put the BRS leadership under intense scrutiny, requiring them to respond to detailed questions about the project’s planning, execution, and the circumstances leading to reported failures. This could open up a prolonged phase of political and legal challenges for the party.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of alleged irregularities in power purchase agreements and thermal projects adds another dimension to the state’s anti-corruption narrative. By broadening the scope of investigation requests, the Congress government is attempting to project itself as committed to transparency while simultaneously increasing political stakes for its opponents.

In essence, what appears to be a routine administrative decision is, in reality, a carefully crafted political maneuver.