harat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) addressed a public rally in Elkathurthy, Hanumakonda district, marking the party’s silver jubilee. This was his first major public appearance since the BRS’s defeat in the 2023 Assembly elections.
KCR strongly criticized the Congress-led state government, accusing it of failure across sectors including water, electricity, agriculture, unemployment, and welfare. He also accused the government of selling public assets and demolishing poor people’s houses.
While many see his speech as a political comeback, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) rejected that label, emphasizing that KCR has always remained active in politics and would lead the party into the 2028 elections.
Highlights of KCR’s Speech:
Appeal to Hindu Sentiment:
KCR invoked Lord Ram’s words, “Mother and motherland are more important than heaven,” linking it to his inspiration for the Telangana movement. This reference is seen as an attempt to reconnect with the Hindu voter base, especially as the BJP has made significant inroads in Telangana.
Farmer-Centric Focus:
KCR emphasized his government’s achievements in supporting farmers, claiming that unlike previous governments that taxed farmers, the BRS provided subsidies. He criticized the Congress for not fulfilling its promise to increase aid under the Rythu Bandhu scheme, reminding farmers of the unfulfilled commitment of ₹15,000 support.
This farmer outreach comes in response to the BRS’s significant losses in rural constituencies during the recent Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, where the party’s rural seat count dropped dramatically.
Stand on Naxal Issue:
KCR criticized the central government’s “Operation Kagar” against Naxals, arguing that violence was not the solution and advocating for dialogue instead. He expressed concern about the loss of tribal youth lives during the operation.
This statement is seen as a move to reconnect with the tribal communities, who form around 10% of Telangana’s population, and to counter the perception of BRS being aligned with the BJP.
Through this rally, KCR aimed to energize the party’s rural base, challenge the Congress and BJP, and position himself and the BRS strongly for upcoming local body and future state elections.
