Jayaprakash Reddy targets Harish Rao to get noticed by KCR?

Hyderabad: Congress MLA from Sangareddy Turpu Jayaprakash Reddy stirred up a hornet’s nest on Wednesday by alleging that former minister T Harish Rao was the main reason for diverting Manjeera water into Sri Ram Sagar without the notice of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.

The comments of the Congress leader led to a discussion within in the political circles as a section of leaders felt that this was an attempt by Jayaprakash Reddy to get noticed, especially in the present circumstances where the media reports suggest that Harish Rao may not be taken in to the cabinet.

On the other hand, another section of the TRS leaders are tight-lipped on the allegations as none from the TRS party has countered the allegations of the Congress leader. The Congress leader popularly known as Jagga Reddy has alleged that the Manjeera river has now dried up because of Harish Rao’s decision. He wanted to know from the state government as to what made Harish Rao to divert Manjeera water. He further alleged that Rao as irrigation minister pressurised officials in diverting Manjeera water.

Jagga Reddy wanted KCR to ensure Manjeera water reach people of Medak district under Mission Bhagiratha. He also demanded that the state government release Rs 10 crore to his constituency to meet the immediate water requirements.

A TRS leader said that Jagga Reddy was trying to get noticed and looking to join the party. “Jagga Reddy is targeting Harish Rao thinking that he can make an entry into the TRS. Chief Minister will not take him into the party for he has criminal background and some cases like visa fraud,” said the TRS leader.

The TRS leader felt that this was ploy of Jagga Reddy to defame Harish Rao in Medak district. Harish Rao is a mass leader and referred as trouble-shooter and this is nothing but to defame him, added the TRS leader.

However, another section of leaders is tight-lipped over the issue. So far no TRS leader has countered or objected to the argument of Jagga Reddy. “Leaders who are quick to counter to any comment against TRS working president K T Rama Rao have not reacted to Jagga’s allegations so far,” said another TRS leader.

Jagga Reddy has been targeting Harish Rao right from the Assembly election time. During the Assembly elections, Jagga Reddy said that Harish Rao would be out if he wins the election.

However, after elections, Reddy said, he would not curse KCR neither he will criticise him politically and work with the ministers for development of his constituency. This has led to doubts that the Congress leader was deliberately targeting Harish Rao on somebody’s behest, opined a political analyst. Who is this person is a million-dollar question now?