KCR Plans a Political Comeback After Long Absence from Public Eye

The BRS Chief’s Resurgence Could Complicate State Dynamics, Amid Allegations of Ties with BJP

K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), the influential chief of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Telangana’s first Chief Minister, has largely remained out of the public eye following his party's defeat to Congress in the 2023 Assembly elections. However, his recent statements suggest that he is gearing up for a political comeback.

KCR, who has been the dominant figure in Telangana politics since the state's creation in 2014, hinted at a return to the forefront in late January. At a meeting with BRS cadres on January 31, he expressed dissatisfaction with the Congress government and indicated that his party would respond strongly to what he called “misrule” by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s administration. “I am watching keenly and silently,” KCR told the party members, adding that the growing discontent within the state would soon be addressed by BRS.

Despite KCR’s announcement of a public meeting later this month, Congress leaders, including Reddy, have not held back their criticism. Reddy mocked KCR, describing him as “demonetised currency,” saying that he once had value but now had none. Since his party’s crushing defeat, KCR has kept a low profile, making only a few appearances in the state legislature and during the Lok Sabha election campaign. In his absence, his son, K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), along with senior party figures like T. Harish Rao and K. Kavitha, have stepped up, criticizing the Congress government for failing to fulfill its promises.

While KCR’s absence from public life has raised eyebrows, sources within the BRS insist that he has been active behind the scenes, guiding the party’s actions and ensuring that everything aligns with his vision. “He is very much in action,” said a party worker, noting that KCR has been influencing key decisions, even if he has not been visible in public.

Some party leaders believe that KCR’s withdrawal was intentional, allowing KTR and Kavitha to gain experience away from his dominating presence, drawing parallels with former Tamil Nadu CM M. Karunanidhi, who continued to lead his party even after his son, M. K. Stalin, assumed the role of Chief Minister. Others speculate that KCR is carefully planning his “grand re-entry” into politics, as he is not someone inclined to retire in favor of his children.

There has also been speculation surrounding KCR’s absence, particularly in relation to the rise of the BJP in Telangana, which made significant inroads during the 2023 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP increased its seat count to eight and saw its vote share grow dramatically, at the expense of BRS, whose vote share fell significantly from 41.7% in 2019 to just 16.7% in 2023.

Some Congress leaders have suggested that there may be a "tacit understanding" between BRS and BJP, which they argue could explain KCR’s reluctance to challenge the BJP publicly. "To come back to power, BRS has to win back voters from the BJP," one Congress leader stated, raising the possibility of behind-the-scenes cooperation between the two parties.

However, BRS insiders deny this theory and assert that KCR's upcoming public meeting will see a strong attack on both Congress and the BJP. “KCR’s message is clear. We will strike back at both the Congress and the BJP,” said a senior BRS leader, signaling that KCR’s silence until now might be part of a larger strategic plan.

As KCR prepares to reenter the political fray, his next moves could have significant implications for the balance of power in Telangana, as both the Congress and BJP vie for dominance in the state.