Although the decision of the Telangana state government to hand over the investigation of irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram project to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is seen as a political strategy that corners state leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), it has also become an issue that troubles the Congress Party’s high command. It is well known that Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi has, on several occasions, launched scathing criticisms and accusations against the CBI. Now, with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s government recommending a CBI probe into the project, the Congress high command will have to provide a reasonable explanation.
During the Telangana Assembly sessions held over the weekend, Justice P. C. Ghosh’s report on alleged irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram project was discussed at length on Sunday. The report, running over 650 pages, was tabled for short discussion late at night amid a boycott by opposition parties BRS and BJP. The government’s decision to seek a CBI probe into the project’s flaws is noteworthy. From the very beginning, ever since the then ruling BRS undertook the Kaleshwaram project, several public organizations and opposition parties have been voicing allegations and criticisms. After the BRS lost power in the 2023 elections, the Congress government ordered an inquiry under retired Supreme Court judge P. C. Ghosh.
Throughout the inquiry, Congress leaders continued to make daily allegations against the project. Finally, after Justice Ghosh submitted his report to the state government on July 31, widespread speculation arose that former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s arrest was imminent. A month later, on August 30, the state government convened a special Assembly session to debate the matter. On the second day, the report was tabled for discussion with participation from all parties. After nearly nine hours of debate, CM Revanth Reddy announced that the case would be handed over to the CBI.
This move effectively pulled the BJP, which had been making constant accusations of corruption in Kaleshwaram, into a difficult spot. The BJP has long attacked Congress for shielding the BRS from other corruption allegations under the guise of inquiries. Earlier, Congress had constituted a SIT over ORR toll tenders but never acted on it. BJP leaders also accused Congress and BRS of collusion, citing the phone tapping scandal. By transferring the case to the CBI, the Congress strategically countered those accusations.
Revanth Reddy clarified in the Assembly that since the case involves central agencies, inter-state issues, project design, construction, financing, and the role of institutions like WAPCOS, it was appropriate to hand it to the central investigative agency. This way, the Congress government struck two birds with one stone—strategically checking both the BJP and the BRS.
Since the Assembly and Parliament elections, the BRS has been in dire straits, with speculation about its survival. There are also rumors that the BRS leadership is looking toward an alliance with the BJP. With local body elections approaching, all parties see them as a matter of prestige. BJP alone cannot weaken the Congress, while the BRS is losing popularity due to corruption cases. Hence, speculation is rife about a possible BJP–BRS alignment. Congress has long claimed that both parties are two sides of the same coin. Any delay in the CBI investigation could allow Congress to attack them jointly, alleging collusion.
For Congress, this also provides an opportunity to target the BJP, which has been questioning why no action has been taken against BRS leaders all this while. Thus, beyond legal complexities, the handover of the case to the CBI is a calculated political strategy.
It is also worth noting that BJP leaders, including Union Minister Bandi Sanjay, have long demanded a CBI probe into Kaleshwaram. Recently, Sanjay even welcomed the Congress government’s decision, saying that at least now they bowed to the demand.
However, dissatisfaction remains. Legislators objected that only one day was allotted for debating Justice P. C. Ghosh’s 665-page report, leaving no time for detailed study. BRS MLA and former minister T. Harish Rao strongly protested being given just half an hour to respond, despite repeated requests for at least two hours. Along with some BRS MLAs, BJP members too staged a walkout in protest.
MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi also questioned the government, demanding clarity on what it intends to do with the multi-thousand-crore Kaleshwaram project. He criticized the government for ministers making contradictory statements on water usage. At that time, CM Revanth Reddy, visibly irritated, insisted that the government sought only suggestions from the opposition and would ultimately take a firm decision. His announcement to hand the case over to the CBI should thus be seen as both a political maneuver and a legal step.
