Telangana Lok Sabha polls: BRS faces defections amid electoral upheaval

Keshav Rao with Telangana CM Revanth Reddy.

In a surprising turn of events just before the Lok Sabha elections, K Keshava Rao, the Rajya Sabha floor leader of Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS), has decided to leave the party and return to the Congress. Accompanying him is his daughter, Gadwal Vijaya Laxmi, who is also the Mayor of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). It is believed that ten GHMC corporators may follow them, giving Congress a significant advantage. Additionally, former Minister A Indrakaran Reddy is reportedly considering a defection to the Congress, which has caused further unrest within the BRS.

Keshava Rao's return to his original political roots is significant. He was affiliated with the Congress for over five decades before joining TRS (now BRS) in 2013. His departure is critical for the BRS, which is already grappling with internal conflicts and mounting electoral pressures.

The drama unfolded after a meeting between Keshava Rao and BRS President K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) at the latter's farmhouse in Erravelli. Despite KCR's attempts to persuade him, Keshava Rao remained determined, citing his wish to spend his remaining years in public life with his "parent party," the Congress. Reports of a heated argument between the two leaders highlight the underlying tensions within the BRS.

Several leaders from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi's (TRS) Bhupalpally-Rayaparthy-Sammaila (BRS) unit are reportedly contemplating leaving the party. Among them are former Minister Indrakaran Reddy, former Mancherial MLA G Arvind Reddy, and Keshava Rao, a member of the Rajya Sabha. Their potential exodus highlights the growing dissatisfaction among the BRS ranks and the appeal of the Congress party's recent political resurgence.

Keshava Rao's son, Viplav Kumar, has pledged his loyalty to the TRS and KCR, distancing himself from his family's impending defections. However, the potential departures represent a significant setback for the BRS, as they could weaken its hold in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits and harm its electoral prospects in the upcoming polls.

Vijaya Laxmi, the mayor of Hyderabad, will join the Congress party to strengthen its presence in the city. The Congress hopes to use her position of power to advance developmental initiatives and increase its electoral success in the city. The Congress is demonstrating its determination to consolidate its strength ahead of the Lok Sabha elections by launching a "ghar wapsi" operation to bring back leaders who had defected to the TRS in recent years.

The Congress is taking advantage of the opportunity to strengthen its ranks, but the BRS is facing internal rifts. Former BRS MLA Aruri Ramesh's apparent interest in the BJP and rumours of other key figures leaving highlight these divisions. Moreover, the party's situation worsened because of the resignation of former MLA Koneru Konappa, who was dissatisfied with the BRS's alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

There are claims of political vendetta amid political unrest following the arrest of G Madhusudan Reddy. He is the brother of BRS MLA G Mahipal Reddy and has been accused of illegal mining. T Harish Rao, a prominent BRS member, has criticized the ruling Congress government for using unfair tactics to pressure BRS leaders to defect. Rao has condemned the arrest, calling it an attempt to intimidate party members. He has pointed out the disproportionate use of force during the early morning raid.

Harish Rao and other BRS leaders have denounced the Congress government's tactics and spoken to the media about it. They have alleged that BRS leaders are being targeted with false cases to force them to defect and questioned the need for such heavy-handed tactics. They have also highlighted discrepancies in the arrest procedures and the lack of transparency in sharing crucial legal documents.

During political turmoil, allegations of political vendetta have arisen following the arrest of G Madhusudan Reddy, brother of BRS MLA G Mahipal Reddy, over charges of illegal mining. BRS stalwart T Harish Rao has criticized the ruling Congress government for resorting to underhanded tactics to pressure BRS leaders into defection. He has condemned the arrest as a brazen attempt to intimidate party members, pointing out the disproportionate use of force in the early morning raid.
Harish Rao's impassioned plea underscores the high stakes of Telangana's political landscape as parties vie for supremacy ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In the crucible of electoral politics, alliances shift, loyalties are tested, and the fate of political parties hangs in the balance.

As the dust settles, the BRS finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with internal dissent and external pressures as it navigates the treacherous waters of Telangana's political landscape. The road ahead is uncertain, but one thing remains clear: in the ever-evolving game of politics, the quest for power endures, and the battle for Telangana's future wages on.

In response to some members of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaving for the Congress party, KT Rama Rao (KTR), the working president of BRS, made a strong statement to highlight the party's resilience and achievements under the leadership of K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR).

KTR lauded KCR's indomitable spirit and unwavering determination to form the Telangana state—a feat that was once deemed impossible. He recounted KCR's arduous journey, marked by insults and betrayals, to unite millions for the cause of Telangana.

KTR's message is clear: the people of Telangana will remember the efforts of KCR and the BRS party, which fought tirelessly for 14 years to achieve statehood and change the region's destiny. He warns against underestimating the people's support for KCR, indicating that any attempts to discredit such a significant figure would be met with the public's disapproval.

Moreover, KTR's call for the preparation of a new generation of leaders is a beacon of hope, a testament to the party's resilience and adaptability. His statement is a reaffirmation of BRS's unwavering commitment to Telangana's development and a poignant reminder of the party's pivotal role in its formation. It also serves as a rallying cry for unity and perseverance among the party's ranks in the face of political challenges.