Hyderabad: State Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy strongly criticized the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Friday, challenging its leaders to face a judicial investigation into the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP). He questioned why the party, including former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, feared being investigated if they truly believed the project was an engineering success.
Speaking at a press conference, Uttam Kumar Reddy accused the BRS of avoiding accountability. He pointed out that ever since a Judicial Commission, led by former Supreme Court judge Justice PC Ghose, served notices, BRS leaders have focused on spreading misinformation rather than cooperating with the inquiry.
“If the project is as great as they claim, why not go before the Commission and prove it?” he asked. He criticized KTR (K T Rama Rao), saying, “He’s acting like a modern-day Goebbels, spreading false narratives instead of facing the facts.”
Uttam also warned BRS leaders against attacking the judicial system. He said trying to discredit the Commission was not only irresponsible but could also lead to legal trouble. “You can’t dismiss a legal process just because you’re being questioned. The law doesn’t work that way,” he added.
He also responded to recent claims by BRS members about sabotage at the Medigadda barrage, calling them suspicious. “If you believed there was a conspiracy or planted bomb, why didn’t you say so when you were in power and the FIR was filed? Why now?” he asked. He urged the BRS to present any serious evidence to the Commission instead of making dramatic public statements.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Congress government is working to revive the troubled Kaleshwaram project. However, he admitted it’s a tough challenge. “We’re approaching this based on facts, not politics,” he said. “But the reality is that the project’s base is flawed. Every test report reveals deeper issues.”
He concluded by saying that BRS leaders are not panicking because of political pressure, but because the truth is finally coming to light.
