Is There a Rift in KCR's Family? Kavitha's Letter Sparks Turmoil in BRS

Hyderabad, March 25 (NationPress) A rift has emerged within the family of former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, ignited by his daughter K. Kavitha’s letter and her remark about “devils around god”. This discord has sparked fresh chaos in the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which is aiming to regain its foothold after a loss of power in 2023 and failing to secure any seats in the previous Lok Sabha elections.

A confidential correspondence from Kavitha to her father, BRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), has put the party in a precarious position, just as it was preparing for a significant comeback during its silver jubilee celebration in Warangal on April 27.

Kavitha’s handwritten letter has drawn mixed reactions regarding the public meeting and KCR’s speech.

This marks the first instance of a letter from a family member to KCR being made public, creating ripples in a party he has singularly led for 25 years.

While attending her son's graduation in the US, the letter leaked on social media. Upon her return to Hyderabad, Kavitha remarked that KCR is like a god, but he is surrounded by devils, expressing her concerns about conspiracies within the party coming to fruition.

In defending her letter, Kavitha emphasized that it reflected the sentiments of party leaders.

Surprised by the letter’s leak, she questioned how an internal letter became public and stressed that she holds no personal agenda.

“KCR is our leader. Under his guidance, the state will prosper, and the BRS will progress,” she affirmed.

Her comments suggested existing sibling rivalry within the KCR family, with long-standing rumors that Kavitha is displeased with her brother K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) being positioned as KCR’s successor.

During the Warangal public meeting, both Kavitha and KCR’s nephew, T. Harish Rao, felt marginalized as only KTR’s images adorned the banners.

There are reports indicating that Harish Rao, the next senior BRS leader after KCR, is contemplating leaving the party.

Speculation regarding tensions between Harish Rao and KTR has persisted for years, yet Harish Rao stated on May 13 that he is willing to accept KTR's leadership.

“I have reiterated this multiple times: KCR is my leader, and I will follow his directives,” mentioned Harish Rao, who has been involved with the BRS since its inception 25 years ago, asserting he is a disciplined party member without intentions of defying party decisions.

“If KTR is given leadership responsibilities, I will support him fully. I will adhere to KCR’s guidance,” he added.

Following Harish Rao's statements, the party appeared to stabilize, readying itself to confront the ruling Congress over its alleged unfulfilled promises.

However, the release of Kavitha’s letter has thrown the BRS into another controversy, further fueled by her “devils around god” statement.

This statement has ignited discussions in political circles about whether her comments targeted KTR, Harish Rao, or even Santosh Rao (son of KCR’s sister-in-law).

During a press briefing on Saturday, KTR avoided a direct response regarding who Kavitha might have meant, instead redirecting focus to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, whom he labeled a demon as per the charge sheet in the National Herald case.

Kavitha suggested that the BRS will only thrive if “coverts” are excluded from the party, with KTR mentioning that every party has its share of coverts and implying that Revanth Reddy might have infiltrated the BRS.

KTR remarked that internal matters should remain within the party while stating that anyone can write to the party president.

This perceived sibling rivalry could disrupt the BRS's plans to challenge the Congress government, particularly as it seeks to capitalize on the latter's alleged failures.

Political analysts believe Kavitha is attempting to establish her prominence after having been sidelined following her release on bail in the Delhi liquor policy case.

Having spent over five months in Tihar Jail after her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in March of last year, Kavitha has recently resumed her activism, focusing on issues affecting women and marginalized communities while also addressing the Congress government's unfulfilled promises.

In an apparent effort to counter her brother’s rising influence, she has been organizing her own events under the banner of “Samajika (democratic) Telangana”.

Kavitha’s six-page letter to KCR outlined both positive and negative feedback regarding the Warangal public meeting.

She criticized the BJP for a witch-hunt in the Delhi liquor policy case and expressed discontent over KCR's leniency towards the saffron party.

“Your brief mention of the BJP led many to speculate about a possible alliance. I believe you should have condemned them more strongly, perhaps due to my personal experiences,” she wrote.

Kavitha also suggested that KCR should have addressed topics like Urdu and the Waqf Amendment Act, the sub-categorization of Scheduled Castes, and greater reservations for backward classes.

Additionally, she criticized the party's decision not to contest the MLC election for the Hyderabad Local Authorities Constituency, asserting it sent a misleading message that the BRS indirectly supported the BJP.

She also expressed the expectation that KCR would provide a clear plan or direction for the party in the current political climate.

Kavitha felt that long-standing party leaders, who have been with the BRS since 2001, should have had the opportunity to speak at the Warangal public meeting.