The Bharat Rashtra Samiti reacted sharply after its former MP K Kavitha announced the launch of her new political outfit, the Telangana Rashtra Sena, taking a veiled dig at her move and signalling growing tensions within the political family.
In a post on social media platform X, the BRS used symbolic imagery to criticise Kavitha’s decision. The party shared images comparing well-known brands with imitation products—such as “Colgate” versus “Coolgate” and “Bisleri” versus “Brislie”—to imply that the “original” cannot be replicated. The caption, written in Telugu, reinforced this message by stating that the original always remains superior, clearly hinting at Kavitha’s choice of name for her new party.
The response came shortly after Kavitha formally launched the Telangana Rashtra Sena at an event held near Hyderabad. The name of her new organisation closely resembles the earlier identity of the BRS, which was originally known as Telangana Rashtra Samithi before it was rebranded in 2022. This similarity has added a symbolic dimension to the political disagreement between the two sides.
The BRS, founded and led by K Chandrashekhar Rao, who is also Kavitha’s father, has not directly named her in its criticism but has used indirect messaging to question the move. The development reflects a deepening rift within the party and the family’s political structure.
Kavitha, who also heads the cultural organisation Telangana Jagruthi, had been suspended from the BRS in September 2025 following internal disagreements. She had publicly raised concerns about decisions taken by senior leaders within the party and alleged that certain actions were damaging its public image, particularly in relation to major projects like the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme.
Since her suspension, she has increased her public engagement and positioned herself as an independent political voice. During recent interactions, she criticised both the BRS and the ruling Congress government, accusing them of failing to adequately address key issues such as farmer distress, water shortages, and labour concerns.
Kavitha has also questioned the priorities of the BRS leadership, raising concerns about topics such as women’s political representation and constituency delimitation. In a rare instance of direct criticism, she expressed disagreement with remarks made by her father, suggesting that the party was becoming disconnected from the aspirations of younger generations in Telangana.
Presenting her new party as a platform for change, Kavitha stated that the Telangana Rashtra Sena would aim to represent unheard voices and create opportunities for youth participation in politics. Her positioning indicates an effort to build a distinct political identity separate from the legacy of the BRS.
The unfolding situation highlights an intensifying internal split within one of Telangana’s most prominent political families. With Kavitha now entering the political arena independently and the BRS responding with pointed, symbolic messaging, the coming period is likely to see a sharper contest for influence, narrative control, and public support in the state.
