BRS leader K Kavitha
Credit: PTI Photo
Hyderabad: BRS supremo K Chandrashekar Rao's daughter, MLC K Kavitha, appears to have chosen her own political trajectory while remaining within the party founded by her father.
She is strengthening her non-profit organisation, Telangana Jagruthi, while planning a series of strategic programmes from a newly opened office.
Speaking at the inauguration of Telangana Jagruthi's new office on Saturday, Kavitha declared that while the BRS party serves as one eye for Telangana's founding Chief Minister KCR, Telangana Jagruthi functions as the other.
She issued a stern warning that they would not remain silent if even the slightest harm befalls KCR, announcing a Maha Dharna at Indira Park on June 4 to protest the Kaleshwaram Commission notices served to her father.
The battle for leadership within Telangana's Opposition party has intensified dramatically, with Kavitha asserting her unwavering loyalty exclusively to her father's leadership.
In a explosive revelation last Thursday, she alleged that certain factions within the BRS are actively orchestrating the party's merger with the BJP.
Without naming him directly, Kavitha delivered a pointed critique of her brother, former minister K T Rama Rao, suggesting that "the party cannot be run on Twitter".
This barbed reference echoes frequent criticism leveled at KTR by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and BJP leaders like Bandi Sanjay, who derisively call him "Twitter Tillu" due to his prominent social media presence.
The controversy erupted following the leak of a letter Kavitha had written to her father. During an informal media interaction on Thursday, she categorically declared her opposition to any BRS-BJP merger, potentially setting the stage for significant internal party conflict.
Kavitha alleged the existence of a deliberate conspiracy to create discord between her and KCR. She challenged critics to consider who would ultimately benefit if she were distanced from the party leadership, while stating unequivocally that she would not work under anyone else's guidance and that KCR remains her sole political mentor.
Beyond party politics, Kavitha outlined an ambitious agenda for Telangana Jagruthi. She warned that if the BC Bill remains frozen, they would launch aggressive campaigns against the BJP, including rail blockades and other disruptive programmes.
The organisation commits to fighting until backward classes receive 42 per cent reservation in local bodies, women receive Rs 2,500 monthly assistance, and girl children are provided with scooters.
Significantly, Kavitha announced Jagruthi's expansion into minority rights advocacy, with plans to establish dedicated Muslim, Sikh, and Christian wings alongside new SC and ST wings. These divisions will specifically agitate for their respective communities' rights and interests.
Addressing critics who question their activism, Kavitha stressed the symbiotic relationship between the BRS and Jagruthi, "If BRS is one eye for KCR, Jagruthi is the other eye."
Kavitha noted that Telangana Jagruthi has maintained its advocacy role for nearly 18 years, consistently raising its voice on issues affecting Telangana's people. She credited the organisation's founding inspiration to both KCR and the late Professor Jayashankar, positioning it as a cultural and political force rooted in Telangana's identity and aspirations.
This strategic positioning suggests Kavitha is building an independent power base while maintaining family loyalty, potentially reshaping Telangana's political landscape through parallel organisational structures.