In a significant departure from the norm, the family of former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) is conspicuously absent from the Lok Sabha election fray for the first time in over two decades. Notably, no member of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) founder’s family has submitted nominations for the upcoming May 13 polls in the state. This marks a notable deviation from the trend set since the inception of TRS (now BRS) in 2001, wherein the KCR family has actively participated in electoral contests.
Since 2004, either the former chief minister himself or a family member has contested in every Parliament and Assembly election. KCR, who founded TRS to spearhead the Telangana movement, has historically contested from Karimnagar for Lok Sabha and Siddipet for Assembly. His political journey saw him ascend to Parliament and subsequently serve as a minister in the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre.
In the absence of KCR, his nephew and TRS stalwart Harish Rao took the reins, successfully winning the Siddipet by-election. Over the years, KCR’s strategic maneuvers and electoral victories have been instrumental in advancing the TRS agenda and consolidating power in the newly formed state of Telangana.
However, recent political developments have ushered in a paradigm shift. Despite TRS’ sustained presence in state politics, KCR’s daughter Kavitha’s defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections signaled a turning tide. Subsequent changes, including the rebranding of TRS to BRS and electoral setbacks in 2022, have prompted a recalibration of priorities, with a renewed focus on state-level politics.
Amidst speculation surrounding potential candidacies, KCR’s decision to abstain from the Lok Sabha elections underscores a strategic pivot towards consolidating power within the state. As the seasoned politician navigates the complex political landscape, the absence of the KCR family from the electoral arena marks a notable chapter in Telangana’s political narrative.
