Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s statements on the ongoing Kaleshwaram irrigation project issue have sparked controversy in the state. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has demanded an apology from the Prime Minister over his ‘blood on crops’ and ‘belt treatment’ remarks.
BRS is pressing Reddy on the issue of providing irrigation water to farmers from Kannipalli pumping station in Kaleshwaram project during the current drought, despite the availability of water.
Responding to the criticism, Reddy on Saturday said that the BRS is politicizing the project without understanding its fundamentals. He went on to say that BRS leaders need “strong treatment” for their lies, news agency ANI reported.
He also said that if they were cut down, “their blood, vanity and fat would flow to the farms and the farmers could use them for their crops.” Reddy further said that KTR and Harish Rao, whom he described as “shameless” BRS leaders, should jump into the Kaleshwaram project so that the “shanni” (bad luck) in the state ends.
BRS seeks an apology for Reddy’s statements
BRS leader Harish Rao on Sunday criticized Reddy over his remarks on the Kaleshwaram irrigation project issue, alleging that the Chief Minister’s comments on “belt treatment” and “blood on crops” were inappropriate and demanded an unconditional apology.
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In a press conference, Rao accused Reddy of using “vulgar language” instead of addressing farmers’ concerns over irrigation water. He also likened the Prime Minister to a “mentally deranged person”, saying his comments were not befitting of someone holding that position.
“Yesterday, listening to the words spoken by the state chief minister, he sounded like a ‘mentally deranged man’. His words do not befit a chief minister. When people ask for water to be released in their fields, lies and abuses flow from the mouth of the chief minister,” Rao said, according to ANI.
“While we ask the Prime Minister to provide water to farmers’ fields, Revanth Reddy talks about letting our blood flow. Is this language appropriate for the Prime Minister? When we ask for water, he says he wants blood.”
He added: “If our blood is what stands in the way of providing you with water, we are willing to provide that as well. But we want water.”
Rao said political criticism was normal but claimed that a person holding the position of prime minister talking about “sprinkling the blood of the opposition on crops” or using the phrase “treatment with the belt” was unacceptable.
Rao also called on the Prime Minister to apologize for his remarks.
“I request Revanth Reddy, after making such insulting remarks, to at least watch himself on TV, realize his mistake, and tender an unconditional apology. Do you think that by abusing us, putting us in jail, or shedding our blood, you can escape the responsibility of providing water to farmers?” Rao asked.
What is the Kaleshwaram project issue?
There is a dispute between the BRS and the Congress over the Kaleshwaram project issue. BRS claims that despite the availability of water at the Kanibali pumping station, the government does not release water to farmers during the dry season. However, Reddy says the government will follow the recommendations of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) on reforming the shells of the Kaleshwaram project and will not give in to the demands of the opposition BRS movement.
Reddy said the NDSA report on the damage to the Kaleshwaram project, built during the BRS, advised against storing water in the project’s three barrages – Medigada (where the Kannipalli pumping station is located), Anaram and Sundela.
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He said the state government was making efforts to revive the rocket barrage in line with NDSA recommendations.
Water can be lifted from the Kanipalli pumping station only if 5 TMC of water is stored, which would be against NDSA recommendations, Reddy said.
However, Rao claimed that despite the Chief Minister’s statement that water cannot be lifted without closing the gates of the Medigada Barrage, the pump room can function based on the existing water level.
“The engines of Kannepally Pump House are running at a height of 93.5 metres. Today, there is a flood of 1 lakh cusecs in Godavari. When there is a flood of 1 lakh cusecs, the water level reaches 97 metres. The water is already above this level. Just start the motors and the water will be lifted,” he said.
Rao cited a letter from retired engineers, in which he claimed that the Kannepalli Pump House has the capacity to lift up to 3 TMC of water per day under the current conditions.
