Hyderabad, Jan 27: In a move that signals a definitive shift in Telangana’s political landscape, former MLC and Telangana Jagruthi president Kalvakuntla Kavitha has officially approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) to register a new political party.
The development comes just weeks after Kavitha delivered an emotional farewell speech in the Legislative Council, following her high-profile exit and suspension from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS)—the party founded by her father, former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR).
A New Alternative for Telangana
Speaking to reporters at the Telangana Jagruthi headquarters in Banjara Hills, Kavitha emphasized that her decision stems from a desire to provide a “truly independent” voice for the people of Telangana.
“I am disillusioned with the current state of the BRS. The existing political alternatives have failed to meet the aspirations of our people. I am charting my own path to address the hardships I’ve seen firsthand through the Jagruthi Janam Bata,” Kavitha stated.
While the official name of the party remains under wraps pending ECI approval, sources close to the leader suggest the name will reflect the core identity of the state and the cultural roots championed by her organization, Telangana Jagruthi.
While the formal registration process is expected to take up to three months, Kavitha is not waiting on the sidelines. Since the new party is unlikely to receive a permanent symbol before the February municipal and local body polls, Kavitha has entered a strategic alliance with the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB). Her candidates will contest under the AIFB’s “Lion” symbol while campaigning under the banner of her new movement.
In a bold tactical move, Kavitha has reportedly set her sights on the Siddipet Assembly constituency. This is a direct challenge to her cousin and senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao, in what was once considered an “impregnable” BRS fortress.
Kavitha has recently pivoted her platform toward social justice, launching sharp attacks on both the Congress and BRS for their handling of the Backward Classes (BC) caste census and demanding 42% reservations in local bodies.
The Road Ahead
Political analysts view this as a high-stakes gamble. By breaking away from KCR’s shadow, Kavitha is attempting to transition from a cultural icon to a primary political force. Her success will depend on whether she can convert the grassroots network of Telangana Jagruthi into a dedicated voter base.
With the ECI application now in progress, the next 90 days will be crucial as the “New Party” seeks to establish its identity before the next major electoral cycle.
