BRS leaders demand an unconditional apology after Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks on the Kaleshwaram
July 12, 2026: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has come under fire after his remarks on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project sparked a fresh political controversy. Responding to criticism from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Reddy accused the opposition of politicising the issue without understanding the project’s technical aspects. He said BRS leaders deserved “belt treatment” for spreading falsehoods and remarked that if they were “cut,” their blood, ego and fat could be used by farmers for their crops. He also challenged BRS leaders K.T. Rama Rao and Harish Rao to jump into the Kaleshwaram project, claiming it would end the state’s “bad luck.”
The remarks prompted a sharp response from BRS leader Harish Rao, who termed the Chief Minister’s comments “inappropriate” and demanded an unconditional apology. Addressing a press conference, Rao alleged that Reddy had resorted to abusive language instead of addressing farmers’ concerns over irrigation water. He said the opposition was only demanding water for farmers and questioned whether a Chief Minister should speak about “blood on crops” or threaten “belt treatment.” Rao added that political criticism was acceptable, but such language was unbecoming of a constitutional office.
The controversy comes amid an ongoing dispute over the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. The BRS has accused the Congress government of failing to release irrigation water from the Kannepalli pump house despite sufficient water availability. Reddy, however, maintained that the government would follow the recommendations of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), which advised against storing water at the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages until repairs are completed. Harish Rao disputed the government’s stand, claiming the existing water level was sufficient to operate the Kannepalli pump house and provide relief to farmers during the dry spell.