The press conference held by CM Revanth Reddy regarding the Musi river project left many amused. Attempting to address concerns, Revanth’s statements were marred by contradictions and inconsistencies.
Revanth’s surprising counter arguments and change of stance from previous statements led to widespread mockery on social media. What was intended as a briefing on the Musi project quickly devolved into a series of attacks on former CM KCR, BRS working president KTR, and former minister Harish Rao, who have been supporting Musi project victims.
In an unusual turn, the Chief Minister introduced the idea that a proposed Navy radar station in Vikarabad, the birthplace of the Musi river, would not pollute the river. When questioned by the media about how the river’s revival would be feasible amidst such projects, Revanth labeled opponents of the radar station project as ‘anti-patriotic’, even likening them to the notorious terrorist Kasab, further fueling controversy.
In an attempt to reinterpret the history of the Musi river, Revanth Reddy claimed that the river’s name stems from the combination of ‘Musa’ (Moses) and ‘Isa’ (Jesus), symbolizing religious harmony. This historical revision, however, caught many by surprise, as it was previously understood that Musi’s name had a more regional origin.
Previously, CM Revanth Reddy had promised to convene an all-party meeting to address doubts about the Musi project. However, in an unexpected reversal, he suggested that questions be submitted in writing. His performance during the press conference, where he seemed confused and contradicted himself, has only intensified the perception of his inability to provide clear answers.
During the press meet, Revanth Reddy stated that a consortium of five consultancies had signed a deal worth Rs.141 crore for the Musi rejuvenation project. Yet, just months ago, he himself had announced a project cost of Rs.1.5 lakh crore. In fact, during a speech in Gopanpally on July 20, the Chief Minister declared plans to allocate Rs.1.5 lakh crore over five years for the development of the Musi basin.
His abrupt dismissal of this figure left many baffled, as the government had previously cited various cost estimates, ranging from Rs.50,000 crore to Rs.1.5 lakh crore, depending on the scope of the project.
One of the most confusing aspects of the press conference was Revanth Reddy’s claim that the Musi project was a rejuvenation and not a beautification effort. He seemed to forget that, just a few months ago, he had referred to the project as a beautification endeavor, even comparing it to London’s Thames River. The contradiction between his statements has led to growing skepticism about the true purpose of the project.
The CM’s mention of a consortium of five consultancies has raised questions, as government orders had only referenced three companies. This discrepancy further fueled confusion, leaving many wondering whether new companies have been added to the project without proper tendering processes.
Revanth Reddy’s assertions that the Musi project will not displace poor residents along the river basin were met with disbelief. While he claimed that no homes had been demolished, there are numerous accounts of residents being forcibly removed without time to collect their belongings.
Revanth Reddy failed to address several serious allegations during the press conference, including accusations that Meinhardt, one of the consulting firms, had been issued notices by the Pakistan government. Despite claiming that company representatives were present, no clear explanation was offered.
Furthermore, his misidentification of a statue from Madhya Pradesh as being from Hyderabad raised further doubts about his grasp on the details of the project.
Revanth Reddy’s press meet left more questions than answers. From inconsistencies about project costs to confusion over the nature of the Musi project itself, Revanth’s statements only added to the growing uncertainty surrounding the initiative.