Revanth Slams BJP

metro india news  I hyderabad

In a sharp escalation of the political tussle over the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has firmly rejected allegations by the BJP that the state government is seeking only a limited CBI probe into the project. He asserted that there are no restrictions on the scope of investigation and maintained that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is free to expand its inquiry to cover the entire project if irregularities are detected.

Speaking in an informal media interaction, the Chief Minister criticized statements made by Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, who had earlier suggested that the Congress government was limiting the probe to specific components such as Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages. Revanth Reddy termed these claims misleading and questioned who was preventing the CBI from widening its investigation if evidence warranted it.

Drawing analogies to drive home his point, the Chief Minister said that just as law enforcement agencies expand investigations when new evidence emerges, the CBI too has the authority to broaden its probe beyond initial complaints. He argued that even if the inquiry begins with specific allegations, such as the reported misuse of Rs 10,000 crore in Medigadda, it could naturally extend to examine the entire project, estimated to involve expenditures exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore.

Revanth Reddy also raised questions over delays in initiating the CBI investigation, alleging a “secret understanding” between the BJP and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). He recalled that Kishan Reddy had earlier indicated that a CBI probe could commence within 48 hours of a formal request by the state. However, despite the Telangana government submitting such a request months ago, there has been no visible progress, prompting the Chief Minister to accuse the Centre of inaction.

It may be recalled that the Telangana BJP, on various occasions in the past, criticised the Congress government, accusing it of conducting a “selective” probe aimed at shielding key leaders of the previous BRS regime led by K. Chandrashekar Rao. BJP leaders, including state president N. Ramchander Rao, have alleged that the Congress and BRS are acting in tandem to dilute accountability. They have repeatedly demanded a comprehensive judicial inquiry into the entire KLIP, along with investigations into related issues such as Dharani land transactions.

The BJP has also highlighted concerns over structural issues, cost escalations, and alleged corruption in the execution of the project, urging both state and central agencies to ensure a transparent and thorough probe. The party argues that limiting the investigation undermines public trust and fails to address the scale of alleged financial mismanagement.

Despite these allegations, the Congress government maintains that it has taken proactive steps by formally seeking a CBI inquiry and directing officials to cooperate fully with the agency. Revanth Reddy reiterated that his administration has nothing to hide and is committed to ensuring accountability in one of Telangana’s largest infrastructure projects. As the political confrontation deepens, the issue has emerged as a major flashpoint between the state and the Centre, with both sides accusing each other of obstructing justice.