Harish Rao Must Apologise to the People of Telangana Over Kaleshwaram Failure: Minister Dr G. Vivek Venkatswamy
Questions BRS Leaders Over Irrigation Claims; Says KTR, Harish Rao and Kavitha Are Competing for Publicity
SIDDIPET, July 10: Telangana Labour, Employment, Training & Factories and Mines & Geology Minister Dr G. Vivek Venkatswamy on Friday strongly criticised former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao over his recent remarks claiming that he could bring transformative changes to the Irrigation Department within three months if given an opportunity.
Responding during his visit to Siddipet district, Dr Vivek questioned Harish Rao’s record during the decade-long BRS government, pointing out that he had served as Irrigation Minister for several years.
“If Harish Rao now claims he can perform miracles within three months, what prevented him from doing so during the ten years the BRS was in power? What reforms did he introduce while heading the Irrigation Department? If he was so capable, why was he removed from the Irrigation portfolio by former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao?” the Minister asked.
Referring to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, Dr Vivek said the project was constructed during Harish Rao’s tenure as Irrigation Minister and recalled that the then Governor, E.S.L. Narasimhan, had publicly praised him by referring to him as “Kaleshwara Rao.”
“Today, the Kaleshwaram project has suffered serious structural setbacks. Who is accountable for this failure? Harish Rao should first apologise to the people of Telangana and accept responsibility for a project that was built under his leadership,” the Minister said.
Dr Vivek further alleged that contractors had benefited the most during the previous BRS regime. He questioned whether Harish Rao’s desire to return to the Irrigation Ministry was intended to once again favour contractors rather than serve the interests of farmers and the people.
The Minister said the people of Telangana had relegated the BRS to the Opposition for five years and accused the party of focusing on criticism instead of constructive politics.
He also took a swipe at the BRS leadership, stating that K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), Harish Rao, and K. Kavitha appeared to be competing with one another for media attention.
“Whenever KTR addresses a press conference, Harish Rao immediately holds another. Kavitha also joins in. Their competition seems to be about who receives more publicity rather than addressing the real concerns of the people,” he remarked.
Dr Vivek alleged that BRS leaders lacked clarity on the issues they wished to raise and were merely searching for opportunities to criticise the Congress government. He said they should first explain why the Irrigation Department failed during their ten-year tenure before levelling allegations against the present government.
