Family Feud Erupts in BRS: Kavitha, KTR, Harish Rao in Leadership Tug-of-War
This public outburst has added fuel to the ongoing speculation about a succession battle within the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
Hyderabad: The internal rift within the family of former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) has come to the fore once again, with his daughter K. Kavitha accusing certain party leaders of maligning her image. This public outburst has added fuel to the ongoing speculation about a succession battle within the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
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Kavitha’s recent statements and her letter to her father have created ripples across the political landscape of Telangana, exposing fault lines within the party’s top leadership.
KCR’s Family Mirrors YSR Family Rift in Andhra Pradesh
The unfolding drama in the KCR family bears striking similarities to the political rift in Andhra Pradesh’s YSR family, where YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his sister YS Sharmila parted ways politically. While Sharmila eventually joined the Congress and re-entered AP politics, their mother Y.S. Vijayamma stood firmly behind her daughter, despite friction with her son.
Now, political observers are asking whether KCR will play a similar role — will he support his daughter Kavitha or stand by his son K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) in the contest to inherit the leadership of the BRS?
Kavitha vs. KTR: A Struggle for Political Heirship
Tensions between KTR and Kavitha are said to have intensified post the 2023 Assembly elections, which saw the BRS lose power. While KTR was seen as the natural successor to KCR and was being projected as a potential CM candidate, the internal dynamics have now changed. With Kavitha becoming increasingly vocal and challenging internal power structures, a direct confrontation seems imminent.
Her recent remarks comparing party politics to a battle between “gods and demons” have only deepened confusion and escalated the internal feud.
Harish Rao: A Silent Yet Strong Contender
Adding a third dimension to the succession struggle is T. Harish Rao, KCR’s nephew and former minister. Though he has publicly stated his willingness to work under KTR’s leadership, political analysts believe he remains a strong contender to lead the party if the internal situation takes a turn in his favor.
Leadership Vacuum in BRS Post-Defeat
The BRS, which ruled Telangana for two consecutive terms under KCR, now finds itself in a state of uncertainty. With no clear heir apparent declared, the party’s future leadership is under intense speculation. Insiders say that had the BRS won in 2023, KTR would likely have been anointed Chief Minister. The electoral setback has now put all succession plans on hold and exposed divisions in the top leadership.
Will KCR Support Son or Daughter?
In the YSR family, the mother chose to support her daughter. But in the case of the KCR family, signs indicate that KCR may favor his son, KTR, as the party’s next leader. The unfolding family and political drama is expected to shape not only the future of the BRS but also impact Telangana’s political landscape.
With power, legacy, and political future at stake, the coming days are likely to offer more clarity — and potentially more confrontation — in one of the state’s most influential political families.
