Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief and former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) has suspended his daughter, K. Kavitha, from the party following her alleged involvement in the multi-crore Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) scam.
The decision comes in the wake of mounting pressure from investigative agencies and public scrutiny over irregularities in the ambitious irrigation project, which was once touted as a game-changer for Telangana’s agrarian economy. Kavitha, a prominent leader and former Member of Parliament, has been accused of influencing key decisions and facilitating contracts that allegedly led to massive financial losses.
Sources close to the party revealed that KCR took the decision after reviewing reports from central agencies and internal party assessments. The suspension is being seen as a strategic move to distance the party from the controversy ahead of upcoming elections and to preserve its credibility.
The KLIP, launched in 2016, aimed to lift water from the Godavari River to irrigate drought-prone regions. However, recent audits and investigations have flagged discrepancies in project execution, inflated costs, and questionable procurement practices. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other agencies have intensified their probe, reportedly uncovering links between Kavitha and several contractors involved in the project.
While Kavitha has denied any wrongdoing, her suspension marks a significant setback in her political career and signals a shift in BRS’s internal dynamics. Political analysts suggest that KCR’s move may be aimed at shielding the party from further damage and demonstrating a zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
The KLIP scam has already triggered widespread debate in Telangana, with Opposition parties demanding a judicial inquiry and accountability from the ruling establishment. As the investigation unfolds, more revelations are expected to emerge, potentially implicating other senior figures.