Harish Rao's absence sets social media abuzz

Hyderabad: Social media was abuzz with 'where is Harish Rao?' as he was not part of the inaugural function of Kaleshwaram project on Friday. The netizens credited the success of the Kaleshwaram project to Harish Rao and appreciated the efforts of the TRS leader.

While Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy was inaugurating the Kaleshwaram project, the netizens on various forms of social media questioned the absence of Harish Rao.

A Facebook user Sreenivas Sriram said Harish Rao was the man who has to be credited for Kaleshwaram Project. "His hard work, imagination, dedication, fighting spirit getting the project implemented and getting completed successfully was not seen during inauguration. Hats off to this person who is a true worker I appreciate his working spirit," Sriram said. Another user Naveen Dyagala said Harish Rao was real backbone of Kaleshwaram project and while another Facebook user Rameshwar Munde said Kaleshwaram credit goes to Harish Rao only. However, there were users who credited Chief Minister along with Harish Rao for the completion of project in a short time. A Facebook user Raghavender Chepuri said, "lifeline of Telangana... world's biggest multi-stage lift irrigation system. The vision of KCR and hard work of Harish Rao made it possible. You both will stay forever in hearts of Telangana people." Similarly, another user Amruth Kumar Sala wrote, "Sahoo Harish Rao Gaaru, who made Kaaleshwaram a grand success. Hearty congratulations to the TRS for completing the project in record time. KCR is definitely a very good leader in coordinating for all the efforts."

While messaging app WhatsApp was flooded with videos of Harish Rao overseeing the projects works. One of the videos which was widely circulated had comments of Governor E S L Narasimhan, who referred to Harish Rao as Kaleshwara Rao.

The TSR leaders however said Harish Rao was not in the list of guests because he was not the local public representative. A TRS leader said even party's working president was not included in the list. The leaders were asked to take part in the inaugural functions at their respective constituencies, said the TRS leader.

Meanwhile, Harish Rao was taking part in the function at Ranganayakula Gutta in Chinnakoduru mandal in Siddipet district.

Addressing the gathering, Harish Rao said inauguration of Kaleshwaram was as important as achievement of Telangana. He said Kaleshwaram dream was fulfilled because of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and inaugurating the project on the death anniversary of Prof K Jayashankar was a tribute to the leader who played crucial role in the initial and final phases of Telangana movement.