WHERE IS KCR? TELANGANA’S MISSING EX-CM PLAYS HIDE AND SEEK WHILE SON HOLDS THE FORT

Once, K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) was a prominent political leader in Telangana. He fought for statehood and won two elections in a row. Today, however, former Chief Minister KCR is hard to find. The leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), who once had a strong presence in politics, seems to have disappeared, leaving his son, KT Rama Rao (KTR), to handle things independently.

KTR: THE NEW FACE OF BRS

KTR is stepping up while KCR is absent, taking on the Congress government. At a recent Rythu Maha Dharna in Nalgonda, KTR criticized the Congress for not helping Telangana’s farmers. He accused them of delaying the Rythu Bandhu payments and trying to win votes with financial support before local elections. While KTR actively leads protests and rallies supporters, his father is noticeably missing.

KCR’S GREAT DISAPPEARING ACT

Where is KCR? Political insiders have different ideas. Some believe he doesn’t want to be seen as competing with Telangana’s current Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who he thinks is not his equal. Others think KCR is stepping back on purpose, preparing KTR to take over the big role and letting him take the spotlight. BRS supporters already chant “CM KTR” at rallies. Is this a smooth power transition? Perhaps. But it’s surprising to see KCR, a leader known for his bold and confrontational style, retreat quietly.

FEAR FACTOR: THE CASES LOOMING OVER KCR

KCR might not just be staying away from the public eye—he could be hiding. Why? Because if he steps back into politics, he might face serious problems. The Congress government has started investigating the Kaleshwaram irrigation project and the power deals made during KCR’s office. Additionally, his daughter, Kavitha Kalvakuntla, recently got out of jail due to the Delhi Liquor scam, but she still faces the risk of another arrest. On top of that, KTR is under pressure because of the Formula E race scam. So, KCR might be trying to avoid making things worse.

MONEY TALKS, OR DOES IT?

Some close aides say it’s mainly about money. Organizing big rallies and protests and getting party workers involved costs a lot. With BRS no longer in power, the financial burden is apparent. If KCR wants to jump back into action, he might need to use party funds, which the Kalvakuntla family may hesitate to do now. But can a man who was Telangana’s Chief Minister for almost ten years stay quiet forever?

LEADER OF OPPOSITION OR LEADER IN EXILE?

KCR is not just a retired politician but is still an elected MLA and opposition leader. Silence is not a good option—it could harm his political standing. People want him to challenge the Congress, fight back, and lead. Instead, he stays in the background while his son and nephew, Harish Rao, work to keep BRS going.

WAITING FOR THE RIGHT TIME OR JUST BURNING OUT?

BRS leaders say that KCR is waiting for the ‘right moment’ to return to politics. They believe he wants the people to understand Congress’s failures before making a big return. But will the people wait for him? KCR’s earlier strategy of using the ‘Telangana sentiment’ worked in 2018. However, in the 2023 elections, relying on sentiment didn’t bring votes. Anti-incumbency, allegations of corruption, and a strong opposition played a role in BRS’s loss.

Meanwhile, Revanth Reddy keeps pushing KCR. The Congress CM continues to criticize KCR and his family over corruption claims. Will KCR finally speak out? Or is he content to watch events unfold from his farmhouse?

One thing is clear: staying silent in Telangana’s rapidly changing politics can lead to failure. If KCR remains absent, the key question is whether the people of Telangana have moved on from their once-powerful leader.