BRS faces tough test in local body polls
HYDERABAD: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi is staring at a difficult challenge in the upcoming local body elections, with senior leaders privately conceding that retaining its earlier dominance will not be easy.
Cadre worried as leadership questions rise
Sections of the party say K T Rama Rao’s leadership may not be enough to counter the strategies of chief minister Revanth Reddy. They also point out that K Chandrashekar Rao has remained confined to his farm house and is unlikely to join the local body election campaign due to health issues.
With KCR staying away, the responsibility of candidate selection and campaign management is expected to fall on KTR and T Harish Rao, along with other senior leaders.
Recent setbacks deepen internal discontent
Party cadre are said to be discouraged after the recent Jubilee Hills bypoll loss. Many feel the party was voted to power twice under KCR’s leadership but has suffered defeats in the parliamentary election and bypolls under KTR.
Senior leaders’ criticism of the government, including that of Harish Rao and KTR, has not gained traction on the ground. Their inability to mobilise cadre effectively is also being discussed internally. Workers fear the party’s future may be uncertain if KCR remains inactive.
Kavitha’s attacks add to strain
Meanwhile, Kalvakuntla Kavitha has been targeting Harish Rao during her district tours and has raised sharp questions about internal leadership issues. Leaders admit that instead of responding to the ruling party’s criticism, they are being forced to address Kavitha’s questions first.
Amid these tensions, several leaders believe the BRS will find it difficult to secure victories in municipal and corporation elections. Despite some active local leadership, many fear KTR and Harish Rao may not be able to match Revanth Reddy’s aggressive strategies.
