Kaleshwaram Project Should Be Cancelled: CPI

CPI State Secretary and Kothagudem MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao on Saturday made strong remarks against the controversial Kaleshwaram project, branding it useless and demanding its cancellation.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the CPI District Committee at the Haritha Kakatiya Hotel in Hanumakonda, Rao claimed that despite the massive investment, not a single drop of additional water had reached the people, and only water from the Yellampalli project was being used for irrigation. The project, constructed by the previous government, had become a burden on the people of Telangana, and no more public money should be spent on its maintenance, he said.

Rao also lashed out at those who equated the Kaleshwaram project with former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. "Those who claim that KCR means Kaleshwaram should shut their mouths. KCR is clearly distancing himself from the project now, despite earlier claiming full responsibility for its design and execution," he said.

Rao also said that BRS leaders, including Harish Rao, were now trying to shift the blame by arguing that the project was moved to Kaleshwaram because Maharashtra did not give clearance for the original site at Tummidihatti.

The CPI secretary also criticised the Union government for making "absurd claims" that India had surpassed Japan economically and of creating an illusion that poverty no longer existed in India. "If the country is truly economically developed, why are inequalities rising? How can the poor survive on a daily wage of Rs 280-320 or a monthly income of Rs 8,000? Even those earning Rs 20,000 a month should now be considered poor," he said.

He pointed out that India ranked 101st on the Global Hunger Index and 124th in terms of access to education and healthcare, and accused the Centre of spreading false propaganda to hide its failures.

Rao also condemned the Union government for its alleged human rights violations, especially under Operation Kagar, which he described as an attempt to suppress communist ideologies. Referring to the death of Maoist leader Nambala Kesava Rao in a police encounter, he criticised the government for not handing over the body to the family. "If Maoists commit crimes, let them be prosecuted as per law - but denying basic human rights is inhumane," he said.