Ponguleti Attacks Center Over Kaleshwaram Probe Delays, Alleges BJP-BRS Nexus

The political temperature in Telangana is rising as the ruling Congress sharpens its attack on both the opposition BRS and the BJP-led Center over what it calls deliberate delays in investigating the Kaleshwaram project scandal.

Speaking at a farmers' gathering in Hanamkonda on Tuesday, Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy pulled no punches in his criticism, alleging a "political nexus" between the saffron party and KCR's outfit. His core argument is damning in its simplicity: nine months have passed since an inquiry commission flagged serious corruption in the ambitious lift irrigation project, yet the CBI remains mysteriously silent.

This isn't just about administrative delays. Ponguleti's charges cut to the heart of federal politics, suggesting that the Center's investigation agencies are being weaponized selectively. The minister's demand for probes into power purchase irregularities alongside Kaleshwaram indicates the Congress believes it has uncovered a broader pattern of financial mismanagement during the BRS era.

What makes this politically significant is the timing. The Congress government is clearly trying to establish its clean governance credentials while painting the previous KCR administration and its alleged Central enablers as corrupt. By positioning itself as the party demanding accountability, the Congress is attempting to flip the traditional script where opposition parties usually demand CBI probes.

Ponguleti's simultaneous promotion of farmer welfare schemes, from the ₹2 lakh loan waiver to the ₹500 MSP bonus, shows the classic political playbook of combining attack with welfare messaging. The ongoing Rythu Mela becomes more than just an agricultural event; it's a platform to showcase the new government's farmer-first approach while attacking predecessors.

The real test will be whether this sustained pressure forces the Center's hand or whether the CBI continues its silence. For Telangana politics, this represents the Congress government's attempt to control the corruption narrative: a crucial battle as it seeks to consolidate power and deliver on its electoral promises.