Why Is BRS Choosing to Abstain from the Vice-Presidential Election?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BRS has opted to abstain from the Vice-Presidential election.
- The absence of a NOTA option influenced this decision.
- KTR emphasizes the party's independence from national alliances.
- The BRS is focused on ensuring urea supply for Telangana farmers.
- Kavitha's recent suspension raises questions about internal party dynamics.
Hyderabad, Sep 8 (NationPress) - The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) made a significant announcement on Monday, revealing its decision to abstain from participating in the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. During a press conference, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao explained that the absence of a NOTA option in the election influenced the party's choice to refrain from voting.
KTR highlighted that the BRS had previously extended support to any alliance that could guarantee the supply of 2 lakh tonnes of urea to farmers in Telangana. He noted that both the NDA and the INDIA bloc failed to step forward to fulfill this essential requirement for the farmers, prompting the party’s decision to abstain.
On August 20, KTR had indicated that the BRS would support any formation that could ensure adequate urea supplies to meet farmers' demands.
Emphasizing the party's independence, he stated, “We are an independent party. We have no bosses in Delhi. The people of Telangana are our only bosses.” KTR pointed out that neither the NDA nor the INDIA bloc had approached the BRS for assistance.
The decision regarding the Vice-Presidential election was reached after consultations with party MPs, MLAs, MLCs, and other leaders.
Although the BRS holds four seats in the Rajya Sabha, it lacks representation in the Lok Sabha.
KTR refrained from commenting on his sister, K. Kavitha, who resigned from the BRS last week following her suspension by party President and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR).
He asserted, “Since the party has discussed the issue and taken a decision, there is no need to make any comment.” Kavitha was suspended due to anti-party activities after she accused her cousins—former minister T. Harish Rao and former MP J. Santosh Kumar—of linking KCR to corruption.
These allegations arose following the Congress government’s decision to refer the case related to alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram irrigation project, constructed during BRS governance, to the CBI.