The suspension of his own daughter, MLC K. Kavitha, by former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has once again triggered criticism that there is no democracy in the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Analysts point out that suspending those who raise their voice against the party’s internal affairs is nothing new in BRS.
Serious Allegation On The Party Leaders
Returning from the U.S., Kavitha on Monday addressed the media and leveled serious corruption allegations against party leaders. She accused former minister T. Harish Rao and Ex MP Santosh Kumar of being deeply involved in corruption in the construction of the Kaleshwaram project, and claimed it was their irregularities that forced KCR into facing a CBI probe.
Within 24 hours of making these allegations, KCR suspended her – a move widely criticized as yet another example of the dictatorial tendencies within the party.
The suspension is being interpreted as proof that BRS protects corrupt leaders while targeting anyone who dares to question them. Political observers note that in the past, leaders such as current ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Jupally Krishna Rao, and MLAs & Ex MLAs were also suspended in a similar fashion.
In democratic parties, it is customary to issue show-cause notices to leaders who act against the party line. Those leaders are given time to respond, and only after examining their explanations are disciplinary actions taken. But BRS, which is accused of functioning with an authoritarian mindset and showing disregard for public opinion, has no such tradition. Instead, suspensions within 24 hours of dissenting remarks are seen only in BRS.
From The Silver Jubilee Celebrations
Following the BRS silver jubilee celebrations, Kavitha’s remarks on the conduct of the meeting and the alleged BRS-BJP nexus brought simmering discontent to light. She revealed that while she was in jail, proposals of a BRS-BJP merger were floated, and she herself opposed them, even telling KCR she was ready to resign and go back to jail if needed. This has fueled speculation that a hidden alliance between the two parties exists and that a merger could happen someday.
On the other hand, Kavitha went a step further in her attack, calling Harish Rao and Santosh Kumar the “corruption kingpins” of Kaleshwaram. She lamented that it was because of them that KCR is now facing an investigation. Her remarks, in effect, confirmed that massive corruption took place in the project – and this coming from KCR’s own daughter added credibility to the allegations.
In the end, for the sole reason of speaking against the party line, without even being served a show-cause notice, Kavitha has now joined the long list of BRS leaders who have been suspended overnight.