Uttam Questions Harish Rao Over Kaleshwaram Corruption Allegations

Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded that BRS leader Harish Rao disclose his alleged share in the ₹1,400 crore kickbacks reportedly received from Andhra Pradesh contractors in connection with the Kaleshwaram Project. Rejecting the BRS criticism of the Congress government, Uttam accused Harish Rao of spreading false narratives and said the damage to the ₹1 lakh crore Kaleshwaram Project reflected the failures of the previous BRS administration.

The minister alleged that the BRS government failed to safeguard Telangana's water interests during its tenure. He said the Congress government had secured technical approvals and 67 TMC water allocation for the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Scheme and had repeatedly opposed the Polavaram-Banakacherla linkage project through official representations. Uttam asserted that the government remains committed to protecting Telangana's water rights.