R S Praveen Kumar Claims Sabotage In Medigadda

BRS General Secretary R S Praveen Kumar today alleged that the collapse of a pillar at the Medigadda barrage, part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, was the result of intentional sabotage by anti-social elements rather than a natural event.

He demanded the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a comprehensive probe.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, he said that all three barrages of the Kaleshwaram Project - Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla - had withstood unprecedented flooding in 2022, and asked why only the Medigadda pillar collapsed.

Kumar also raised concerns over the absence of an inquiry into a deliberate explosion, especially given that no seismic activity had been detected in the area.

"On October 22, 2023, an assistant engineer lodged a complaint at the Mahadevapur police station, reporting loud explosion-like sounds at the barrage, which he suspected indicated sabotage. Yet, no investigation has identified those responsible," the BRS leader said.

Kumar alleged that the collapse was a deliberate attempt to malign ex-CM and BRS boss K Chandrashekar Rao's legacy.

He demanded that the SIT probe the alleged explosions and investigate the possible involvement of Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, as well as BJP leaders Bandi Sanjay and Kishan Reddy. He also suggested examining their mobile phone records to establish any links to the event.

The BRS leader also criticised the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) for ignoring the explosion angle, and questioned its prompt inspection of Medigadda following a letter from Union Minister Kishan Reddy while allegedly neglecting a dam collapse in Uttarakhand.

Kumar dismissed the NDSA's report - which cited design and construction flaws - as part of a predetermined effort to tarnish the BRS' reputation.

He also rejected allegations of financial mismanagement during the BRS regime, and accused the Congress of spreading falsehoods, including claims about "golden toilets" in Pragathi Bhavan. He added that Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, who resided there, had himself laughed off such allegations when asked.