Balmoori Venkat Accuses BRS of ₹1 Lakh Crore Corruption in Kaleshwaram Project

On Monday, Government whip and MLC Balmoori Venkat accused the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government of large-scale corruption and structural defects in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS), alleging a misuse of ₹1 lakh crore in public funds. Speaking at a photo exhibition organized on the Gandhi Bhavan premises in Hyderabad, Venkat claimed the major irrigation project stands as a symbol of corruption under the previous regime.

The photo exhibition showcased various stages of the Kaleshwaram project, specifically highlighting how its pump houses were submerged in rainwater on several occasions. Venkat addressed the media at the venue, stating that the Congress government exposed the alleged irregularities after coming to power. He added that the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) had also pointed out structural defects in the project.

According to the government whip, the project was originally named Pranahita Chevella and was initiated under the Jalayagnam programme during the YS Rajasekhar Reddy-led government's tenure in the undivided state. Venkat accused the BRS of redesigning the original project and renaming it as Kaleshwaram.

Venkat also accused BRS leaders of spreading false information to mislead farmers over the Congress government's implementation of the Rythu Bharosa scheme. He challenged former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who is now the leader of the opposition in the assembly, to attend the assembly sessions to clarify the allegations of corruption regarding Kaleshwaram and other projects.

Furthermore, Venkat targeted BRS working president KT Rama Rao, challenging him to undergo a drug test. The MLC alleged that the previous BRS regime was responsible for the rise of drug culture in Telangana.