The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is going through a testing time as the ongoing Kaleshwaram Commission investigation hangs over the party like a dark cloud. With renewed notices and growing scrutiny of the tainted irrigation project, the party is under immense pressure.
Rather than being engaged in legal fights alone, BRS leaders, especially Harish Rao, have opted to concentrate on projecting the success of the Kaleshwaram project. Harish Rao recently again gave a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation to refute charges of corruption and highlight the project’s central position in changing the water resources of Telangana.
This is not the first time that Harish Rao has acted this way. In the past, he boldly stated that the project was done with transparency and proved to be a success in solving Telangana’s water crisis. But going back on the presentation has raised political discourse and questioned the timing and motives of doing so.
The commission formed under the previous Congress regime is slated to table its final report immediately after interviewing most prominent people such as former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) and Harish Rao. Presenting in his address, Harish Rao pointed out that Kaleshwaram now irrigates more than 20 lakh acres, pointing out the essential role it plays for the region’s farming development and economic growth.
Despite these positive claims, opposition parties continue to challenge the project, prompting the BRS leadership to remain vocal defenders of the initiative. Harish Rao also addressed concerns over escalating costs, pointing out that a significant portion of the expenses originated from projects initiated during Congress rule, suggesting that the recent budget increases were somewhat unavoidable.
Political observers view this second round of PowerPoint presentations as a strategic move by BRS to bolster public confidence and counter the Congress party’s persistent criticisms ahead of the commission’s verdict. Should the report find evidence of corruption, it could severely undermine BRS’s long-standing claims that Kaleshwaram is a clean and successful venture.
At the same time, insiders note that the party is reluctant to take harsh action against senior leaders involved, likely to maintain internal harmony. This cautious stance explains why the leadership continues to focus on the project’s benefits while firmly denying any wrongdoing.
Harish Rao’s consistent attempts to highlight the strengths of the Kaleshwaram project in elaborate presentations seem to be a calculated action by BRS. The action is meant to underscore the value of the project and guard against the party’s reputation coming under severe political and legal challenge.
