BRS eyes resurgence ahead of Foundation Day

The BRS is regaining political traction ahead of its Foundation Day, intensifying attacks on the Congress government and strengthening its cadre base. Meanwhile, the ruling Congress is facing internal dissent, controversies and governance challenges across Telangana

Hyderabad: As the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is gearing up for its Foundation Day on April 27, the party appears to be regaining political traction, even as the ruling Congress is facing mounting controversies and internal strains within two years of assuming power.

In the aftermath of the recent Assembly session, BRS leaders have sharpened their attacks on the government while simultaneously taking up public issues on the ground. Following its electoral setback, the BRS has been steadily rebuilding its organisational structure and reclaiming political space, particularly across its strongholds in Telangana. Despite being out of office, the party has maintained visible momentum.

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Led by working president KT Rama Rao and Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao, the BRS has mounted a sustained and multi-pronged offensive against the Congress government. The party leadership has focused on issues concerning farmers, employees and youth, effectively playing its role as an active opposition. Even without the constant public presence of party chief and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, the BRS has kept its cadre mobilised.

Rama Rao, Harish Rao and other senior leaders have been busy exposing the corruption, irregularities and failures of the current Congress regime at the State level.

At the grassroots level, several leaders have taken up local causes. Former Minister Jogu Ramanna has led protests over delays in bridge construction in Adilabad, while S Niranjan Reddy has backed farmers opposing land acquisition in Wanaparthy. Huzurabad MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy undertook a hunger strike against a dumping yard, and Korutla MLA K Sanjay raised concerns over delays in crop procurement. In Vikarabad and Rangareddy, former Minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy has been vocal on land issues affecting farmers and Musi Riverfront project victims.

The party has also registered pockets of electoral success during both the urban and rural local body elections. Former MLA Balka Suman secured a win for the BRS in the Kyathanapally municipal elections, despite alleged pressure from the ruling party. BRSV leaders led by Gellu Srinivas Yadav have intensified campaigns on unemployment and the Musi riverfront project.

Party leaders said their sustained agitations have forced the government to recalibrate certain policies. They also pointed out that a visible sign of the party’s revival was the growing footfall at Telangana Bhavan, which BRS leaders described as a hub for public grievances.

In contrast, the Congress government led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is facing criticism over land, mining and governance-related issues. The government has often appeared more reactive than cohesive, with Ministers drawn into controversies.

Internal dissent has further complicated matters for the ruling party. Senior leaders, including Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy and T Jagga Reddy, have publicly expressed their dissent over the lack of support to party leaders for constituency development. Meanwhile, political shifts on the ground have added to the unease. The imminent induction of former Minister T Jeevan Reddy, who was a long-time Congress loyalist, into the BRS indicates a broader churn within the ruling party.

The BRS is capitalising on this discontent. By bringing in experienced leaders with deep local networks, it is not only strengthening its cadre base, but also consolidating its influence ahead of future electoral contests.

Party sources said the party will shift gears after the Foundation Day, where Chandrashekhar Rao will address the party cadre and the people of Telangana, giving a clear direction on the party’s goals and its functioning. The party restructuring has also reached the final stages and is likely to be announced during the Foundation Day celebrations.