Telangana Jagruthi president Kalvakuntla Kavitha on Thursday came down heavily on her father, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, albeit indirectly, saying he had lost power due to sheer arrogance.
“The BRS lost power because of arrogance and also because it failed to recognise and support movement activists. Such indifferent attitude towards Telangana activists contributed to their electoral defeat,” Kavitha said while addressing an “Atmagaurava Sabha” (self-respect meeting) of activists organised by Telangana Jagruthi.
Referring to the BRS regime, she alleged that democratic values were undermined during its tenure and recalled an incident in which a movement activist died by self-immolation near the assembly.
She announced that she will establish a new political party in Telangana, stating that the party will carry the name of the state and evolve into a significant political force.
She said the formation of the party is aimed at safeguarding Telangana’s identity, aspirations of the statehood movement, and the broader Telangana ideology.
Kavitha asserted that the proposed outfit would not be a conventional political party but one rooted in the spirit of the Telangana movement.
She expressed anguish that she has been facing attacks for announcing her intention to launch a political party.
Kavitha said she has always been surrounded by activists rather than power brokers and emphasised her commitment to the cause of Telangana.
She also predicted that if activists’ demands remain unmet, they could stage strong protests even against the current Congress government led by chief minister A Revanth Reddy.
Kavitha criticised both the Congress and BRS, alleging that after Telangana achieved statehood and the Congress secured power with 63 seats, it absorbed leaders from other parties rather than strengthening democratic processes.
She also raised concerns over the removal of the Dharna Chowk at Indira Park and alleged that activists faced arrests for questioning the government on social media.
She said that despite the formation of Telangana, ordinary people and grassroots activists have not benefitted significantly.
In a sarcastic remark, she alleged that only select individuals had prospered economically after statehood.
Kavitha called upon Telangana Joint Action Committee chairman Professor M. Kodandaram to take responsibility for ensuring justice for activists.
She noted that leaders like Kodandaram and former IAS officer Akunuri Murali had played key roles in building trust among activists toward the present government but questioned why they have remained silent for the past two years.