Hans News Service Hyderabad

TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud on Friday responded to remarks made by former BRS minister and Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao, who claimed that he could resolve the state’s water crisis if given an opportunity to serve as Irrigation Minister for three months.

Speaking to the media, Goud said that if Harish Rao genuinely wished to join the Congress party, the matter would be discussed internally. He added that a decision on whether to induct Harish Rao into the party would be taken after deliberations in the Political Affairs Committee (PAC).

Questioning Harish Rao’s claim, Mahesh Kumar Goud said that a person who could not achieve significant results during 10 years in power could not be expected to accomplish much in three months. He said the present government was working to address the debts and mistakes inherited from the previous administration.

“What did Harish Rao achieve during his 10-year tenure as a minister? A project constructed while he was the Irrigation Minister collapsed—what does he have to say about that? What did he do during those 10 years? Why ask for another three months?” Goud questioned.

Responding to comments made by Telangana Jagruthi president K. Kavitha regarding BRS party funds, Mahesh Kumar Goud said, “There is truth in the allegations made by Kavitha regarding BRS party funds. How did a regional party come to possess Rs 1,400 crore? he said.

On internal issues within the Congress party, Goud said differences of opinion were natural in any organisation. He assured that the issues involving Minister Konda Surekha, MLA Kadiyam Srihari, and the situation in Tungaturthi would be resolved after hearing the concerns of all sides.

He emphasised that all party members were equal and said two senior leaders had been appointed to resolve internal disputes as the Disciplinary Committee Chairman was occupied with other responsibilities. He clarified that suspension was not the only way to address differences within the party. Recalling earlier political developments, Goud said 10 MLAs had supported the Congress government when attempts were allegedly made to destabilise it. He also alleged that Eatela Rajender was a minister when the alleged irregularities in water resource management took place.