Kavitha’s fiasco: KCR urges restraint, she demands course correction

Acting on the directive of party chief K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), Damodar Rao and Gandra Mohan Rao met with MLC K Kavitha at her Hyderabad residence. The three-hour-long meeting was aimed at resolving the fallout from Kavitha’s leaked letter that harshly criticized KCR’s leadership and strategic direction. However, sources confirm that Kavitha remained resolute in her demands, signaling a growing rift within the party’s top ranks.

The delegation was tasked with pacifying Kavitha following the leak of her scathing six-page letter dated May 2. The letter surfaced days before her return from the United States on May 23, and accused KCR of political complacency—particularly his “soft approach” toward the BJP and inaccessibility to party workers.

Among other issues, Kavitha called out KCR’s silence on the Waqf Amendment Act and backward class (BC) reservations. The letter also suggested internal sabotage, claiming that “covert operatives” within the party deliberately leaked her private communication.

During the meeting, the emissaries reportedly urged Kavitha to prioritize party unity and warned of the consequences her public dissent could have on the BRS’s reputation and the family’s political future. KCR is said to have personally called her during the meeting, advising her to act with restraint.

Despite the outreach, Kavitha held firm. She reiterated her core demands, including:

1. A stronger anti-BJP political stance.
2. Greater accessibility from the party leadership.
3. A more inclusive decision-making process.

She also highlighted her own experience in the Delhi liquor policy case, where she spent over five months in Tihar Jail in 2024, as evidence of the BJP’s targeting of opposition leaders—arguing that BRS must respond more aggressively.

Grassroots engagement

Sources close to the discussion said Kavitha proposed convening a party plenary to directly engage with grassroots workers and address internal concerns—an idea originally outlined in her leaked letter.

“Kavitha was unwavering in her call for a course correction,” said a source familiar with the meeting. “She believes the party risks alienating its base if it continues to ignore core issues and presents a lukewarm opposition to the BJP.”

Kavitha’s defiance has fueled speculation about a potential split, with some reports suggesting she may float a new regional party in Telangana. However, insiders say KCR has dismissed such speculation and directed his son, party working president K T Rama Rao (KTR), to focus on damage control and public messaging ahead of Telangana State Formation Day on June 2.

What’s next for BRS?

As the BRS gears up for a major public appearance on June 2, the party is under pressure to present a united front while privately grappling with growing internal tensions. With the KCR family in the spotlight and political analysts tracking every move, the coming days could be pivotal in determining whether the BRS can reconcile its internal divisions—or if Kavitha’s challenge marks the beginning of a deeper political realignment in Telangana.