Kavitha Challenges Revanth Reddy to Probe Harish Rao Over Alleged Corruption

Telangana Rakshana Sena president Kalvakuntla Kavitha launched a scathing attack on former minister and BRS MLA T. Harish Rao, accusing him of corruption in irrigation projects and public institutions. She challenged Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to order an investigation into an alleged Rs. 100-crore EPF scam at NIMS and demanded accountability for irregularities during the previous BRS regime.

Speaking to the media after performing the ground-breaking ceremony for her party office in Siddipet, Kavitha alleged that Rs. 25 crore from NIMS employees' EPF funds was diverted to other accounts without a governing council meeting when Harish Rao was Health Minister. Claiming that employees had shared supporting documents with her, she warned that she would approach the Lokayukta and courts if the government failed to investigate.

She alleged that the Mallanna Sagar project estimate was increased from Rs. 6,000 crore to Rs. 9,800 crore and accused officials of inflating costs in Kondapochamma Sagar as well. She demanded action against Chief Engineer Muralidhar and other officials, including Hareram and Venu. Kavitha claimed Harish Rao was raising the blasting issue to divert attention from Mallanna Sagar bund leaks. Citing a 2018 NGRI report on seismic risks, she demanded the release of relevant technical assessments and challenged Revanth Reddy to respond during his November 19 visit to Siddipet.

Questioning the Kaleshwaram project, she said nearly Rs. 93,000 crore had been spent despite the failure to provide the promised irrigation to 19 lakh acres. She claimed that only around one lakh acres in Siddipet, Gajwel and Dubbaka were receiving water against the targeted 10 lakh acres in the erstwhile Medak district. She also accused Harish Rao of selling Singareni coal while claiming it was sourced from Maharashtra.

Kavitha questioned his development claims in Siddipet, alleging that local infrastructure existed before his political entry. She highlighted the decline in rice mills from 120 to fewer than 20 and difficulties faced by traditional weavers, goldsmiths and local traders. She also raised questions over alleged land allocation in his father's name, compensation for 14 acres near Ranganayaka Sagar and the construction of a guest house. She criticised inadequate rehabilitation of displaced families and claimed Siddipet's 1,000-bed hospital lacked sufficient staff.

Denying involvement in allegations concerning land around the KCR family's farmhouse, Kavitha said she had no share in BRS corruption and was willing to surrender any assets exceeding those declared in her affidavit. She urged BRS leaders to explain the growth in their assets, referring to their 2003 and 2023 election affidavits.

Targeting the Congress government, she alleged that 330 paddy procurement centres had opened without purchasing grain. She also criticised the unfulfilled RTC merger promise, referred to employee Shankar Goud's death and questioned the government's failure to act on her proposal to fill Mallanna Sagar from Lower Manair Dam without additional expenditure.

Recalling the Telangana movement, Kavitha said many activists remained neglected despite 1,200 sacrifices, with fewer than 600 receiving government jobs. She promised to prioritise farmers, youth, fee reimbursement, river-water issues and social justice. Both her party's candidates, she said, belonged to the Backward Classes.

Kavitha said she formed the Telangana Rakshana Sena after a year of consultations with intellectuals and 50 committees studying public issues following her suspension from the BRS. She called for new leadership in Siddipet and said the municipal elections would mark the beginning of her political fight against Harish Rao. She also proposed working towards free education and healthcare through private-sector participation.

Earlier, she offered a chadar at the Janullah Shah Dargah near Iqbal Minar in Siddipet and invited residents to use the proposed party office.