In a surprising turn of events, the family of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) founder K. Chandrasekhar Rao, popularly known as KCR, has decided to step away from the Lok Sabha elections for the first time since the party’s inception 23 years ago.
Historically, either KCR himself, his son K. T. Rama Rao, nephew T. Harish Rao, or his daughter K. Kavitha have contested in every Parliament and Assembly election since 2004, reflecting the family’s strong political presence.
Speculations were rife that one of the prominent family members might enter the fray for the Lok Sabha elections this time around. However, none of the three MLAs chose to do so, marking a significant departure from tradition.
K. Kavitha, who had previously contested from the Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency and lost in the 2019 elections, is also sitting out this time. She was recently embroiled in controversy, having been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
KCR, who founded BRS after resigning from the Telugu Desam Party in 2001, has been a key figure in Telangana politics. His stint in the Lok Sabha saw him elected from Karimnagar in 2004 and later from Mahabubnagar in 2009, during which he played a pivotal role in the formation of the Telangana state.
Since then, BRS has held significant sway in Telangana politics, with KCR serving as the Chief Minister since 2014. However, in the recent Assembly elections, the party faced defeat, losing power to the Congress.
With the announcement of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, BRS aims to maintain a social balance in its selection. The party has fielded candidates from various castes, including leaders from backward castes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other communities.
Despite the absence of KCR’s family members, BRS remains confident in its prospects, citing its candidates’ strong grassroots support and the positive recall of KCR’s rule among voters. The party is gearing up for an extensive campaign, with KCR himself expected to join the trail soon.
As BRS prepares to contest all 17 seats in the upcoming elections on May 13, the political landscape in Telangana is set for an intriguing battle, with the absence of KCR’s family members marking a notable shift in the party’s approach.
