The BRS may be struggling in electoral performance at both state and national levels, and its leader K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) appears to be in a period of hibernation.
This situation, however, seems to have set the stage for a power struggle over the No. 2 position in the party.
Party insiders point to a growing rivalry between KCR’s son and BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) and his trusted troubleshooter, T. Harish Rao. Both are jockeying to become the go-to leader in KCR’s absence.
Observers note that the division of roles that once existed between the two appears to have faded, as each tries to make his presence felt more strongly in public.
While KTR was long seen as an "urban" leader and Harish as the “anywhere” leader, the lines are now blurring.
Harish Rao has recently taken on the Musi River issue, a topic KTR has been heavily involved in, leading to speculation within the party that this is yet another instance of one-upmanship between the two cousins.
With KCR lying low, likely because there is no current political rival of his stature to engage with, the days ahead are expected to see increased efforts by both KTR and Harish Rao to assert their leadership.