K Kavitha launches ‘Telangana Rashtra Sena’, targets BRS over shift from regional agenda

Telangana Jagruthi president and former MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha on Saturday (April 25) launched a new political party named “Telangana Rashtra Sena” (TRS) at Munirabad in Medchal district. She converted the Telangana Jagruthi organisation into a political party and returned to the public using the old TRS name.

During the day, Kavitha unveiled the party flag and announced its agenda. The development has once again brought out the internal differences within KCR’s family into the open.

“Remember The Name: Telangana Rashtra Sena. We refuse to back down, come what may. It is time the people of Telangana have their say. We will not let our aspirations decay. Be reduced to ashes if you dare come in our way. Your Time is Done, Our Time is Now,” she stated in a post on X.

Attack on BRS and its direction

Later in the day, Kavitha lashed out at the BRS, accusing her former party of deviating from its primary objective of working to fulfil Telangana’s regional aspirations.

“The BRS was formed to serve Telangana’s regional aspirations, but it went on to change its name, its functioning, and even its core character, which ended up weakening its connection with the people. When a party loses sight of its founding purpose, it cannot sustain itself. Telangana still needs a regional party to address its pending agenda and aspirations, and that is what our party will represent,” she said.

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“The BRS, led by my father, has expelled us. We did not walk away from either the party or the family. We were pushed out, and I would rather not get into that. But I am a daughter of Telangana, shaped by its spirit and resolve. We are firm and deeply committed to our objective. We have devoted 20 years to the Telangana movement. Whether or not we have our earlier party, and whether or not our family stands with us, I see the people of Telangana as my family. It is the essence of this land that will continue to guide us,” the Telangana Jagruthi chief added.

Expulsion and allegations

Kavitha was suspended from the BRS in September 2025 and later resigned from the party. In a letter to her father KCR, she alleged “silent conspiracies and intrigues” within the party.

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She accused that after changing the party name to BRS, national ambitions took priority over Telangana’s welfare, and that her father had become a “captive” under the influence of family members, especially Harish Rao and Santosh Rao.

‘Social Telangana’ pitch

Kavitha has come forward with the goal of “Social Telangana,” focusing on the issues of youth, women, OBCs, employees, and farmers, while projecting Congress as the main adversary.

Within KCR’s family, a long-standing succession battle has been underway between Kavitha and KT Rama Rao (KTR). Kavitha was dissatisfied after being sidelined despite seeking the BRS working president post, which was given to KTR.

Family rift and power struggle

She alleged that the KTR-Harish Rao duo surrounded KCR and turned the party into a “party of the rich.” With KCR’s health concerns, the succession struggle intensified. In her letters and speeches, Kavitha described certain family members as a “devil’s ring,” making the internal rift public.

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The party has just been launched. With the support of Telangana Jagruthi activists, Telangana movement leaders, youth, and women, an inaugural meeting is being held in Medchal. Kavitha claimed that “50,000 people” attended. No major leaders from the BRS have publicly joined so far. While some second-rung leaders and workers are reportedly in talks, there has been no large-scale migration from the BRS, so far.

Having broken away from the BRS, she has come before the people with the slogan of “Social Telangana.” However, in a state dominated by three major parties-Congress, BRS, and BJP-it remains to be seen how far a fourth force can sustain itself.

(This article was originally published in The Federal Telangana)