In a recent session of the Rajya Sabha, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil made controversial remarks regarding the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), stating that nearly ₹1 lakh crore spent on the project had been 'washed away.' This prompted K.R. Suresh Reddy, a Member of Parliament from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), to demand an apology and the removal of the comments from the House records, labeling them as 'false and misleading.' Suresh Reddy emphasized that the Kaleshwaram project is crucial for Telangana, comprising various infrastructures like barrages and pipelines. In response, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy accused the previous BRS government of mismanaging the project, particularly criticizing the non-functionality of the Medigadda barrage. The debate also touched upon historical grievances regarding the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and the need for national project status for Telangana's irrigation schemes.