Hyderabad: Senior leaders of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) from North Telangana are reportedly mounting pressure on former minister Harish Rao to take over the reins of the party, amid growing dissatisfaction with the leadership of K.T. Rama Rao (KTR).
With internal dissent intensifying, Harish Rao is said to be cautiously exploring the possibility of stepping forward, as a section within the party strongly believes he is the only viable alternative to KCR.
Senior leaders argue that KTR lacks the leadership qualities required to steer the party forward and have made it clear that they are unwilling to accept his leadership. They point out that under KTR’s leadership, the BRS has suffered repeated electoral setbacks, raising serious concerns about the party’s future.
Electoral Setbacks Under KTR
According to party insiders, the BRS has failed to make an impact in recent elections, including the MLC polls, the Jubilee Hills by-election, and the Gram Panchayat elections. Leaders highlight that even in Siricilla, KTR’s own constituency, the party could not secure victories in a majority of Gram Panchayats, with the Congress emerging strong in several villages.
Senior leaders cite these results as clear evidence of KTR’s inability to effectively lead the party, arguing that if he could not ensure victories in his own constituency, leading the party statewide would be an uphill task.
Harish Rao’s Performance in Siddipet Cited
In contrast, senior leaders have praised Harish Rao’s performance in Siddipet, stating that despite the BRS being in the opposition, he was able to ensure victories for party-backed candidates in a significant number of Gram Panchayats. Of the 508 Gram Panchayats in the district, BRS-supported candidates reportedly won in over 250, which leaders describe as a testament to Harish Rao’s strong grassroots leadership and organisational grip.
With the party’s poor showing in the Panchayat elections and growing internal unrest, dissatisfaction with KTR’s leadership has become more pronounced. Sources say several senior leaders, unhappy with KTR, recently held a secret meeting with Harish Rao, discussions of which are now being widely talked about in Telangana Bhavan.
During the meeting, leaders reportedly urged Harish Rao to seize the moment and take charge of the party, stating that KTR’s failure to deliver results even in his own constituency had weakened the BRS.
Fears of Further Decline
Senior leaders are said to have warned that if KTR continues to lead the party, the BRS risks further decline. They believe the party has already lost ground in South Telangana and fear that persisting with KTR could erode the party’s remaining strength in North Telangana as well.
“If KTR leads, we will all sink,” is a sentiment reportedly echoed by several senior leaders during their discussions with Harish Rao.
Strategy Behind the Recent Announcement
Amid these developments, speculation is rife that Harish Rao is attempting to consolidate his hold on the party under pressure from senior leaders. Analysts point to his recent announcement postponing the BRS executive and legislature party (LP) meetings scheduled for the 19th to the 21st as a significant political signal.
Traditionally, such announcements are made from Telangana Bhavan, but the fact that this one came directly from Harish Rao has raised eyebrows.
Political observers believe this move could be an early indication of major political developments within the BRS in the coming days, as the party grapples with leadership questions and internal dissent.