By reclaiming the TRS identity, Kavitha seeks to reconnect with the legacy of the Telangana statehood movement and reposition regional politics.
BY PC Bureau
pril 25, 2026 — Former BRS leader and daughter of ex-Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, K. Kavitha, on Saturday launched a new political outfit named Telangana Rashtra Sena (TRS) in Hyderabad, nearly seven months after her acrimonious split from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
At a public launch event, Kavitha announced that her new party would adopt the abbreviation “TRS,” a politically significant name closely associated with the Telangana statehood movement. The original Telangana Rashtra Samithi, founded by her father, had spearheaded the agitation for a separate state before being renamed BRS in an effort to expand its national footprint. By reviving the TRS identity, Kavitha signaled a return to what she described as the “core spirit” of the Telangana movement.
Earlier in the day, she paid floral tributes at the Amaraveerula Stupam in Gun Park, commemorating those who lost their lives during the Telangana statehood movement. The symbolic gesture underscored her attempt to reconnect with the emotional and historical roots of Telangana’s struggle for statehood.
Same acronym. New political war! Kalvakuntla Kavitha @OfficeOfKavitha @RaoKavitha is set to launch her own political party today, and if rumours are to be believed, she plans to revive the #TRS legacy but not as #TelanganaRashtraSamithi, but possibly as Telangana Raksha Samiti… pic.twitter.com/zKGflUoTTR
— Ashish (@KP_Aashish) April 25, 2026
Critique of BRS and Call for Regional Reassertion
Explaining her decision to float a new party, Kavitha said the BRS had deviated from its founding principles after its rebranding. “The BRS party was made to fulfil the regional aspiration of Telangana, but they changed their name, work and the very soul of the party, which resulted in the breaking of their bond with the people,” she said in remarks to ANI.
She argued that a strong regional force remains necessary to address what she termed “unfulfilled aspirations” of Telangana. “When a party gets distracted from its fundamental core issue, it cannot survive. We need a regional party for the unfinished agenda of Telangana, and that will be our party,” she added.
Kavitha also clarified that her departure from the BRS was not voluntary. “We have been expelled. I don’t want to go into that. But I am a daughter of Telangana… we are very committed to our goal,” she said, invoking her long involvement in the statehood movement.
Political Fallout and Internal Rift
Kavitha’s exit from the BRS followed a period of escalating internal tensions. She was suspended from the party in September 2025 for alleged “anti-party activities,” marking a dramatic fallout within one of Telangana’s most prominent political families. Her suspension came after she publicly criticised senior leaders such as T. Harish Rao and J. Santosh Kumar.
Same acronym. New political war! Kalvakuntla Kavitha @OfficeOfKavitha @RaoKavitha is set to launch her own political party today, and if rumours are to be believed, she plans to revive the #TRS legacy but not as #TelanganaRashtraSamithi, but possibly as Telangana Raksha Samiti… pic.twitter.com/zKGflUoTTR
— Ashish (@KP_Aashish) April 25, 2026
In the aftermath, Kavitha accused sections of the party leadership of attempting to undermine both the party and her family, alleging political collusion involving Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The dispute deepened political fault lines within the BRS and drew significant public attention.
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Following her suspension, Kavitha resigned from her position as an MLC and began reorganising her political base. She revived her association with the Telangana Jagruthi, an organisation she had earlier founded, positioning it as a platform for her renewed political journey.
Reclaiming Political Space
With the launch of Telangana Rashtra Sena, Kavitha appears to be attempting a strategic political repositioning—seeking to reclaim the ideological space once occupied by the original TRS. By invoking the legacy of the Telangana movement and reusing its iconic acronym, she is appealing to regional sentiment at a time when political alignments in the state remain fluid.
Her message emphasized resilience and continuity: “Whether we have our old party or not, whether our family is with us or not, I believe the people of Telangana are my family. The fragrance of Telangana’s soil will drive us.”
Implications for Telangana Politics
The emergence of a new party using the TRS identity could have significant implications for Telangana’s political landscape. It not only challenges the dominance of the BRS but also raises questions about voter loyalty, legacy politics, and the future direction of regional movements in the state.
As Telangana heads toward future electoral contests, Kavitha’s new outfit may attempt to consolidate support among sections of the electorate disillusioned with existing political formations. Whether the Telangana Rashtra Sena can translate symbolic appeal into electoral strength remains to be seen, but its launch marks a notable new chapter in the state’s evolving political narrative.
