TRS leader T Harish Rao and irrigation projects have become synonymous in Telangana.
This is because as irrigation minister in KCR's cabinet in the first term, Harish Rao worked day and night, visited and examined each and every project site, even spent nights and slept at project sites to expedite the works.
Harish's relentless efforts in expediting irrigation projects paid rich dividends to TRS in recent Assembly polls.
TRS swept all the constituencies which are covered by Kaleshwaram, Dindi, Kalwakurty, Nettempad irrigation projects etc.
In fact, the credit of TRS sweeping Mahabubnagar district and thrashing Congress top guns like DK Aruna, A Revanth Reddy etc goes to Harish Rao who delivered completion of pending irrigation projects in Mahabubnagar and ensure water reached the agriculture fields just two weeks ahead of polling. This resulted in farmers voting enmasse for TRS in Mahabubnagar and the rest is history.
Kaleshwaram project attaining national and international fame is also because of Harish's untiring efforts who ensured works progress at a brisk pace by visiting the project sites almost every week.
But then, shockingly, when CM K Chandrasekhar Rao reviewed the progress of irrigation projects for the first time in his second term on Saturday, Harish was kept away from the meeting.
One may argue that Harish is yet to be sworn-in as minister and for that reason he was not invited. But then, Balkonda MLA Vemula Prashanth Reddy was present in the meeting along with new home minister Mohd Mahmood Ali.
It is believed that by avoiding Harish, KCR wants to send a clear message that he will be stripped off his irrigation portfolio in the new cabinet like Nayani Narasimha Reddy was removed as home minister.
TRS party sources said KCR wants to keep irrigation department with himself. If not, Vemula Prashanth Reddy will be appointed as irrigation minister.
Seems Harish has to satisfy with some other portfolio this time.
His supporters are already angry at KCR, KTR, Kavitha and Santhosh for 'discriminating' Harish, who is the most popular mass leader in TRS after KCR.