November saw the arrival of cold wave in Telangana for the year 2024 along with two key political developments. It was in the initial days of the month that Telangana’s Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) sought Governor Jishnu Dev Varma’s consent to investigate and prosecute KT Rama Rao (KTR), Working President of BRS and son of former Telangana CM, K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR).
The case pertains to the Formula E race event held in 2023 in Hyderabad when BRS was in power and KTR was the minister for municipal affairs and urban development. The allegation against him is that he was instrumental in transferring Rs 55 Crores to the organisers to secure the next edition, which was done through oral orders and without seeking the necessary official clearances.
As the file lay waiting at the Governor’s office, in the last week of November, the winter chills set in subjecting northern parts of Telangana to single-degree temperatures. It also brought out MLC K Kavitha out of hibernation. The daughter of KCR, who was also an MP, was lodged in Tihar jail in Delhi liquor scam from March to August of 2024. Post her release, she was missing from action until November. In the same month, she was seen in public championing the case of the Backward Classes (BC’s) by meeting with stakeholders and also demanding reservations in the local body polls.
In December, Kavitha’s visibility ran parallel to the movement of the Formula E case. The fag end of the year saw the Telangana Governor giving the clearance to ACB to investigate KTR followed by the latter being named Accused no. 1 by the ACB who registered the case. The ED (Enforcement Directorate) also entered the scene and booked a case against KTR.
Even as KTR was knocking on the doors of the courts looking for some relief, his sister stepped up attacks against the Congress party. She was seen criticising the ruling party on the Music riverfront project, farmers issues and the Telangana Talli issue, a cultural symbol of Telangana which was altered by the Congress.
December was a busy month for Kavitha politically as she became more vocal and assertive. Political analysts feel that her moves are not coincidental which has come at a time when her brother is staring at a possible arrest and jail time, given that he has already been through a round of questioning with multiple investigating agencies high on his heels. According to sources, KCR who is confined to his farmhouse, may not venture out immediately and spend his energy and novelty in case of his son’s arrest. Since the BRS campaign against Congress is spearheaded by his son KTR and nephew and senior leader, Harish Rao, it would leave the latter in complete control of the party affairs and tilt the power balance away from Kalvakuntla party.
Though Kavitha may not be given a formal post that would undermine her brother, it is understood that she is being projected as a powerful voice who would take off from where her brother left in case he is behind bars. The party insiders feel that activating Kavitha will also give an impression that the party is internally strong with many important players willing to defend it. It goes without saying that for Kavitha, the new innings will serve her an opportunity to get her feet back up in electoral politics and prove her mettle in public life.
