Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Apr 13: A fresh political contest appears to be brewing within the family of former Telangana chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, this time over the legacy and ownership of the name Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

The development comes shortly after KCR’s daughter, K. Kavitha, indicated that her proposed political outfit could adopt the TRS name. In response, her brother and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working president K.T. Rama Rao revealed that the party is actively considering a return to its original identity as TRS.

Kavitha, who parted ways with the BRS last year following her suspension over alleged anti-party activities, is preparing to launch a new party. She has maintained that the TRS name is currently unused and available, suggesting that anyone is free to claim it.

The TRS, originally founded by KCR in 2001, played a pivotal role in the Telangana statehood movement. In 2022, the party was rebranded as BRS as part of an effort to expand its political footprint beyond Telangana and enter national politics.

However, after losing power to the Congress in the 2023 Assembly elections, many within the party began to feel that dropping “Telangana” from its name weakened its connection with the public. Leaders argue that the regional sentiment was central to the party’s identity and electoral success.

K.T. Rama Rao echoed this concern during a recent party meeting, admitting that the name change may have cost the party politically. He emphasized that the emotional bond between the people and the TRS identity — symbolized by its pink flag — remains strong.

According to him, restoring the old name could help reinvigorate party workers and rebuild grassroots support. Still, he clarified that the final decision rests with KCR.

Notably, KCR himself had earlier hinted at a possible return to the TRS name during internal discussions and even referred to the party by its former name in public interactions.

The shift to BRS had been driven by KCR’s national ambitions following the formation of Telangana in 2014 and two consecutive terms in power. The party aimed to replicate its governance model across other states and had begun expanding its presence, targeting multiple Lok Sabha seats ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Despite these ambitions, the party faced major setbacks — first in the 2023 state elections and then in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, where it failed to secure any seats.

After a prolonged period of political quiet, the leadership is now exploring ways to revive the party’s fortunes. Reclaiming the TRS name is seen as a strategic move to reconnect with its roots and regain public trust.

With the party’s foundation day approaching on April 27, there is speculation that a formal decision could be announced soon. However, any move to reclaim the TRS name may face legal hurdles, especially if Kavitha proceeds with her own claim.

The unfolding situation sets the stage for an intriguing political and possibly legal battle within the KCR family over a name deeply tied to Telangana’s identity.