Telangana former CM KCR to be arrested? Congress, BRS brace for clashes over Kaleshwaram project report

Speculations are rife that Telangana's former chief minister and BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) could face arrest for graft charges related to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme. The Justice P C Ghosh Commission submitted a report last week, implying irregularities in the execution of the irrigation project  and holding KCR, former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, and former Finance Minister Eatala Rajender accountable for the lapses.

The incriminating report, which will be tabled in both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council before the detailed discussion, holds the former Chief Minister responsible for the financial and structural  lapses in the construction of Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, which were supposed to be key infrastructure meant to boost irrigation in the state. The report accused KCR of ignoring protocol, including approval of his cabinet of ministers, and expert warnings.

The project suffers from poor planning, and there is no operation and maintenance, which has left it a “monumental financial and structural debacle.” The cost of the project, initially pegged at ₹1.45 lakh crore, shot up to  ₹38,500 crore after funds were allegedly siphoned off to favour contractors, the report said.

The Congress, which used the Kaleshwaram graft as a campaign during the Assembly elections, has vowed to take on BRS in this regard. The decision to hold a debate on the report is likely to send a signal that the party will not take any decision unilaterally or partisanly.

But it is clear that the Congress will weaponise the report against the BRS. The Congress government will highlight the corruption, while stressing its political strategy, which is to project the image of its rule as a corruption-free rule.

For the ruling party, this is also a chance to revive its declining fortunes, ahead of the upcoming local body elections. On the other hand, KCR has been absent from the Assembly since his defeat in 2023, opting to attend only once. He has never faced Chief Minister Revanth Reddy inside the house, and his reluctance is being considered a weakness by the Congress. In his absence, KTR and Harish Rao have been managing proceedings for the BRS. Though Harish Rao, KCR’s nephew, has done everything to defend the party in the house, he has failed to sway public opinion.

There are also speculations that KCR himself is preparing for arrest, after reports hinted that he held a meeting at his Erravelli farmhouse, preparing BRS leaders for the possibility of his arrest, which could happen as early as September. 

India