Kavitha sets sights on Siddipet in new political offensive

Soon after MLC K. Kavitha announced her decision to chart a new political course by quitting the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), she set her sights on Siddipet constituency, the political stronghold of her cousin and senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao.

According to sources, Ms. Kavitha is keen to make Siddipet her political target and directly challenge Mr. Harish Rao in her home turf, which is considered one of the safest seats for BRS. Siddipet has strong political and emotional significance for the party as it was represented by BRS founder and former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao for decades before he left the Telugu Desam Party to form Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS).

Siddipet constituency has been a stronghold of Mr. Chandrashekhar Rao as he was a five-time MLA from 1985 before resigning after winning in 2004. His nephew T. Harish Rao has been representing the party since 2004, winning the general elections.

Ms. Kavitha had reportedly told close associates that she intended to contest from Siddipet and defeat Mr. Harish Rao, signaling her determination to impose herself in a constituency that the BRS sees as impregnable. He believes that creating an electoral impact in Siddipet will also ensure the legacy associated with Mr. Chandrashekhar Rao.

Sources said Ms. Kavitha was of the view that Mr. Harish Rao played a key role in shaping the negative image acquired by the BRS leadership during and after its time in power. He openly claimed that although Mr. Chandrashekhar Rao was facing public criticism and allegations of corruption, it was Mr. Harish Rao who had amassed wealth and wielded disproportionate influence within the party and the government.

Ms. Kavitha also made serious allegations against Mr. Harish Rao, branding him a corrupt politician and blaming him for what she described as the ‘Kaleshwaram debacle’. He also blamed him for the failure of PRLIS.