Kaleshwaram Controversy: Harish Rao approaches HC, amid stormy Assembly debate

Hyderabad: The controversy surrounding the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) took a new turn on Saturday, with BRS MLA T Harish Rao moving the Telangana High Court against the Justice Ghose Commission report, even as the issue triggered stormy exchanges in the Legislative Assembly.

Harish Rao’s plea in High Court

Harish Rao filed an Interlocutory Application (IA) seeking suspension of the Ghose Commission’s report, dated July 31, 2025, until the High Court delivers its verdict on his pending writ petition.

The commission, which probed KLIP for over 15 months, highlighted serious lapses in planning, design, and construction of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages.

Harish argued that the government should be restrained from acting on the findings until the case is decided.

Heated Assembly debate

Inside the Assembly, Harish Rao accused the Congress government of avoiding debate on Kaleshwaram by denying the Opposition a chance to present its case through a PowerPoint presentation (PPT).

“If the government is confident, let us present the facts. Refusing us only shows fear,” he said, insisting that the truth on KLIP would ultimately be decided by the courts.

Former CM K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) skipped the proceedings, with KT Rama Rao (KTR) leading the BRS in the House.

Govt’s Counter

Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu countered that Congress was committed to allowing a democratic debate, but questioned the BRS insistence on a PPT: “If there are no mistakes in the project, why do they need slides?” he asked.

Fertiliser shortage not State-Specific

On the Opposition’s charge of fertiliser scarcity, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao clarified that the urea shortage is a national problem, not confined to Telangana.

He said Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had written to the Centre, and state ministers had secured limited stocks by putting pressure on Union leaders.

Vijayashanti’s sharp attack on KCR

Meanwhile, outside the Assembly, Congress MLC Vijayashanti lashed out at KCR for skipping the session. “If KCR does not want to attend the Assembly, he should resign as MLA,” she said at Gun Park after paying tributes.

Accusing him of burdening Telangana with debt during his decade-long rule, she criticised him for “staying in the farmhouse while people suffer from floods.” Vijayashanti urged all political parties to work together in supporting flood-hit families.

Political Backdrop

The Kaleshwaram project, touted as the flagship irrigation initiative of the previous BRS government, has been under fire since structural issues surfaced in the barrages.

The Ghose Commission’s findings have only deepened the political battle between the ruling Congress and the Opposition BRS, with both sides trading charges inside and outside the House.