Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Apr 25: Making her break-up from her father and father’s party final, Kalvakuntla Kavitha, the daughter of the former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), on Friday launched her new political party “Telangana Rashtra Sena,” also setting at rest all speculations that she might join the Congress.
Amid loud cheers from a large gathering of the members of the Telangana Jagruthi, a NGO run by her, youth, women, SCCL workers and kin of Telangana martyrs, Kavitha announced her new political outfit at a convention centre in Munirabad on the outskirts of Hyderabad along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) in Medchal-Malkajgiri district, marking her decisive and final split from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) led by her father.
Nearly 50,000 supporters travelled from the 33 districts of Telangana to attend the event, held on a sprawling 20-acre ground named after Professor K Jayashankar, a key figure in the Telangana movement. Sources suggest that Kavitha was keen to retain the ‘TRS’ acronym, which is rooted in the Telangana identity struggle and aspiration, and focuses on state-specific issues.
The announcement triggered jubilant scenes, with the crowd erupting in applause and celebratory bursting of flower pots as Ms Kavitha unveiled her party’s name with visible confidence. Supporters also raised slogans hailing her as “CM” (Chief Minister) and “Telangana Tiger,” adding to the charged atmosphere at the venue. The choice of ‘TRS’ took many, including media personnel, by surprise, as earlier indications suggested that the party might be named ‘Telangana Praja Jagruthi,’ drew loud approval from the gathering.
Addressing the gathering, Ms Kavitha said, “It is a historic day today in Telangana. It will remain an unforgettable day in my life too. The almighty and time have made all of us part of this historic moment that would help Telangana script its future,” she said, reiterating that the timing was deliberately chosen. The former MLC, who was suspended from the BRS, has apologised to people for being part of the BRS and the family that ruled the State for nearly 10 years and failed the people.
Highlighting her association with Telangana Jagruthi, she underscored the organisation’s role in promoting the State’s cultural identity. “You all know my role and Telangana Jagruthi role for the last 20 years in Telangana movement and its mission to protect its rich culture through ‘Bathukamma’ celebrations in every village and town,” she said, adding that the organisation had served as a ‘torchbearer’ during the movement for statehood.
Outlining the party’s ideological direction, Ms Kavitha said it would seek to merge social movements with political power to build a “socially just Telangana” rooted in constitutional values. She cited leaders such as Chakali Ailamma and Konda Laxman Bapuji as inspirations, asserting that the State’s history of struggle would guide the party’s course.
Notably, the absence of senior leaders from either BRS or other political parties at the launch was conspicuous.
The party was unveiled at the Professor Jayashankar Sahar Sabha premises, spread across 20 acres adjacent to the Advaya Convention Centre in Munirabad. The venue and its facilities reflected Telangana’s cultural and historical legacy, with the main venue named after Kothapalli Jayashankar, the main gate after Kaloji Narayana Rao, and another gate after Rudrama Devi. Dining halls were named after Suravaram Pratap Reddy and Shoaibullah Khan.
Kavitha is associated with her NGO, Telangana Jagruthi, which had actively participated during the Telangana statehood movement, and there was speculation that it would be converted into a political party. However, the announcement of Telangana Rashtra Sena puts such speculations to rest.
Retaining the same acronym ‘TRS’ that once defined and dominated Telangana politics, it sends a clear message that Kavitha is reclaiming what her father abandoned. The original Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) name was changed to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) by party president KCR in 2022.
Kavitha had resigned from the BRS and as an MLC on September 3, 2025, following her suspension for alleged anti-party activities. Her split with her father KCR and brother KT Rama Rao (KTR) now appears permanent, with Kavitha framing her journey around her core argument: the TRS was built to fulfil the regional goals of Telangana.
KCR founded TRS in 2001 to fight for statehood, which it achieved. In 2022, he renamed it to BRS, pushing towards national politics. This change in name and direction weakened the party’s bond with the people, Kavitha claims, pointing to unmet promises on water, jobs, and resources, the very goals that once drove the TRS movement. She alleges neither the Congress nor the BRS delivered on such promises.
Kavitha, 48, aims to prioritise the youth, women, farmers, and other communities in Telangana. Her pitch is purely local and focuses on Telangana’s soil, struggles, and an unfinished story. Reviving the TRS by its name, acronym, or spirit seems more than a branding choice; it’s a direct challenge to her father and brother KTR, who had recently suggested that the BRS return to its original name. With state elections next in 2029, Kavitha has time to build a base.
