A dissenting daughter, a leaked letter and a divided house in BRS

Kavitha, who is currently an MLC and a former MP, raised a variety of issues in her six-page letter, ranging from KCR’s style of functioning and organisational lapses to what she considered shortcomings in the party’s political positions. Her remark that the BRS’s soft approach to the BJP has sent wrong signals led to rumours that they could go for an alliance in the future. She was referring to KCR attacking the BJP for only about two minutes during BRS’s silver jubilee plenary, while his entire tirade focused on Congress rule.

BRS leaders, however, refute Kavitha’s charges. Speaking to this author, BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan Kumar said that KCR has his own style of public communication, and in the recently held Warangal meet, he wanted to send a message that he is battle-ready. Notwithstanding such a defence, KCR certainly demonstrated a soft approach towards the BJP — an allegation his daughter rightly pointed out.

Indeed, the BRS does not seem averse to joining forces with the BJP to fight the Congress. But KCR is likely to take that call at an opportune moment. However, the BJP is still not ready to strike a deal with the pink party and hopes to come to power on its own, buoyed by its credible performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP’s vote share in the parliamentary elections surged to 35 per cent from only 14 per cent in the Assembly elections held a few months earlier. On the other hand, the BRS’s vote share plummeted to 17 per cent (Lok Sabha elections, 2024) from 37 per cent (Assembly elections, 2023). Despite being the principal opposition in the state Assembly, the BRS drew a blank in the Lok Sabha polls, with Congress and the BJP sharing eight seats each, while the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen won the Hyderabad seat.

Kavitha’s allegations could also be a smokescreen for her personal political aspirations. Her arrest by central agencies in the Delhi liquor “scam” case may be the immediate cause of her anger towards the BJP. Those in the know will recall that Kavitha had expressed her willingness to join the Modi government a few years ago.

Like in any other political family, KCR’s is also witnessing a rift over legacy. The dispute became acrimonious when KCR gave a clear signal that his political heir would be KT Rama Rao, former minister and working president of the party. At the Warangal meeting, only KCR and KTR’s portraits were seen. KTR and his cousin, former minister T Harish Rao, are also vying for KCR’s legacy. Harish Rao has been a close associate of KCR since the party’s inception, long before KTR entered politics.

Sources close to KCR’s family and party insiders reveal that Kavitha is adamant about her father clearly defining her share of the political legacy. She has publicly stated that there are “devils” around her father who are actively working against her interests. She, however, describes KCR as a god.

Political observers interpret her jibe as being directed at her own brother KTR, her cousin Harish Rao, and former MP Joginapally Santosh Kumar. Such harsh comments obviously give ammunition to the party’s rivals. Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhatti Vikramarka wondered how KCR could be considered a god if he is surrounded by devils.

Meanwhile, KTR, in a cryptic remark, said there may be Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s “coverts” in his party — an apparent reference to his sister. Fuelling speculation over possible action against Kavitha, KTR said everyone in the party is equal and that differences cannot be aired in public. However, given the delicate nature of the ongoing confrontation, party insiders believe that KCR will not act in haste.

There are also rumours about Kavitha’s reported plans to launch a new party. Through Telangana Jagruti, she has been raising issues of social justice and even remarked that a “social Telangana” could not be achieved despite having a “geographical Telangana” — a comment that visibly upset KCR, as it was perceived to be a direct attack on his rule.

Allegations that Kavitha is acting at the behest of rival parties have alienated her within the BRS. As a result, BRS leaders appear to be rallying behind KTR. But Kavitha could still inflict damage on the party if her demands are not addressed. At present, an uneasy calm prevails — but for how long?

The writer is a former professor of journalism at Osmania University, Hyderabad, former MLC and a political analyst