What Lies Ahead for Kavitha After Her Departure from BRS?

Hyderabad, Sep 7 (NationPress) Kalvakuntla Kavitha, who departed from the BRS following her suspension by party President and father K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), is contemplating the establishment of a new political party. However, her path appears uncertain in the densely populated political landscape of Telangana.

With minimal backing from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) ranks and an unclear agenda, the task of carving out her own identity proves challenging for the 47-year-old.

Her protests and explosive accusations against her cousins, former minister T. Harish Rao and former MP J. Santosh Kumar, have struck a significant blow to the BRS, yet the absence of support from any prominent figure within the party leaves her fighting a solitary battle.

While she has not yet revealed her future plans, insiders speculate that she may transform Telangana Jagruthi, the cultural and social organization she has led since 2008, into a political entity.

Kavitha's rebellion and allegations of corruption directed at Harish Rao, a major figure within the party and a close ally of KCR, have embarrassed the first family of BRS at a critical juncture when they were preparing to recover in the state after a series of setbacks following their 2023 electoral loss.

The timing of her accusations raised eyebrows in political circles, occurring mere hours after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged corruption concerning the Kaleshwaram irrigation project, established during the BRS's governance.

The Chief Minister unveiled the CBI investigation in the Assembly after an extensive debate on the P. C. Ghose Commission report, which implicated KCR and Harish Rao in irregularities.

While she attempted to shift the blame for the corruption tag onto Harish Rao, many interpreted her actions as a tacit admission when both leaders sought to quash the Ghose Commission report in the High Court. Consequently, KCR acted swiftly against Kavitha.

Both KCR and Kavitha's brother, K. T. Rama Rao (KTR), have remained silent regarding her allegations, instead allowing senior BRS figures, including women leaders, to defend the measures taken against her. These leaders commended KCR for not exempting his daughter from party discipline.

No key BRS leaders expressed support for Kavitha, who not only stepped down from her role as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) but also relinquished her primary party membership.

Continuing her accusations against Harish Rao and Santosh, she further alleged that they were scheming to take control of the party. She also warned her father and brother against their supposed conspiracies.

Kavitha's situation has provided ammunition for both the ruling Congress and opposition BJP to target the KCR family over alleged corruption during the decade-long BRS administration. Leaders from both parties attribute Kavitha's rebellion to a rift within the KCR family regarding the allocation of 'ill-gotten' wealth.

Political analysts assert that Kavitha, lacking a mass base unlike KCR, KTR, and Harish Rao, will struggle to garner support. Even the members of Telangana Jagruthi primarily originate from BRS.

Moreover, Kavitha's objectives remain ambiguous. Analyst Palwai Raghavendra Reddy commented, 'There's no clarity on what Kavitha is demanding or what her grievances are when the party is under the control of her father and brother.'

He believes that Kavitha's accusations against Harish Rao and Santosh, while absolving KCR and KTR, will not resonate with the public.

Ruling Congress and other opposition leaders are already pressing her to clarify her stance on the alleged corruption of her father and brother.

By suspending Kavitha, KCR conveyed a strong message that he will not tolerate allegations against his nephew, a pivotal figure in the formation of TRS (now BRS). 'Harish Rao was part of the party even before his brother and sister joined,' noted Raghavendra Reddy. 'Those aware of Harish Rao's contributions to the party will not be swayed by Kavitha's claims.'

He also suggested that Kavitha is unlikely to make a significant political impact, at best serving as a nuisance to BRS leadership.

The analyst draws parallels with the rift between Sharmila and her brother Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy in the YSR Congress Party.

Sharmila played a crucial role in sustaining the YSRCP during Jagan's incarceration related to a disproportionate assets case. Despite her significant contributions to the party's campaign in the 2019 elections, she was sidelined once YSRCP won power decisively. When she attempted to establish the YSR Telangana Party, she found herself without support.

Sharmila eventually merged her party with the Congress, which appointed her as the head of the Andhra Pradesh unit, claiming to uphold her father's political legacy.

In contrast to Sharmila, who lacked a legislative role, Kavitha occupied a notable political space in Telangana. She launched Telangana Jagruthi in 2009 to promote cultural initiatives during the height of the Telangana movement. After Telangana's formation in 2014, she was elected to Lok Sabha from Nizamabad but lost her seat in 2019. Following this, KCR appointed her to the Legislative Council, although she was not assigned any significant responsibilities in government or party.

After TRS retained power in 2018, KCR named his son KTR as the heir apparent, appointing him as the party's Working President. KTR assumed critical ministerial roles, becoming the second-in-command in both government and party, a decision perceived by some as a factor in the family discord.

Kavitha's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI in March 2024 concerning the Delhi liquor case damaged her reputation, with political opponents labeling her the 'liquor queen.' She became the first member of KCR's family to face arrest on corruption allegations.

After her release on bail five months later, KCR seemingly advised her to maintain a low profile due to her tarnished image, which was believed to contribute to the party's lackluster performance in the Lok Sabha elections. Nevertheless, she began re-engaging in political activities, particularly advocating for increased reservations for backward classes.

Kavitha felt increasingly marginalized within the party. The internal strife became public in May 2025, shortly after BRS's grand event in Warangal celebrating its silver jubilee, when a letter Kavitha wrote to KCR was leaked, exposing familial tensions that ultimately precipitated her departure from the party.