While the political confrontation over the Election Commission unfolded in Delhi, the controversy triggered a sharp response from Telangana’s political arena, with Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
As Gandhi led a protest in the national capital against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, KTR accused the Congress leader of what he described as “hypocrisy” on issues concerning the Constitution and democracy. He also alleged that the Congress government in Telangana had enabled what he called “vote chori”.
KTR Targets Rahul Gandhi and Congress
KTR questioned Gandhi’s criticism of alleged electoral irregularities while attacking the Congress leadership’s political approach in Telangana.
“Mr Rahul Gandhi wants to be Prime Minister, but acts like a coward, a bully and an undemocratic human,” KTR said in a post on social media.
He further accused Gandhi of speaking about constitutional values at the national level while allegedly supporting the Telangana government’s actions against political opponents.
“He preaches the Constitution, yet runs anarchy in Telangana through his puppet Revanth Reddy and encourages defections,” KTR alleged.
The BRS leader also accused Congress of attempting to weaken the opposition party through political pressure and defections.
Krishank Arrest Becomes a Key Flashpoint
KTR’s remarks came amid a continuing political clash between the BRS and the Congress government in Telangana, headed by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
The arrest of BRS leader Manne Krishank became a major point of contention. Telangana Police arrested Krishank following allegations involving remarks against Reddy and his family. The BRS has criticised the action, portraying it as an attempt to silence political criticism.
Linking the incident to Rahul Gandhi’s campaign against alleged electoral irregularities, KTR said Gandhi was raising the issue of “vote chori” while allegedly supporting the Telangana Chief Minister.
KTR also referred to the long-running “vote-for-note” controversy while targeting Reddy.
Attack Over ‘Nepo Kid’ Remark
The political exchange took a more personal turn when KTR responded to Congress supporters who had labelled him a “nepo kid”.
Taking to X, KTR wrote, “Pretty rich coming from a party where Nehru’s daughter’s son’s kid is your leader.”
The remark was directed at Rahul Gandhi, who is the great-grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru and grandson of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. KTR’s post invoked the longstanding political criticism that the Gandhi family has exercised significant influence over the Congress across generations.
However, KTR himself comes from a prominent political family. He is the son of K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), founder of the BRS and Telangana’s first Chief Minister. KTR served as a minister in his father’s government before becoming the working president of the BRS.
Delhi Protest Adds to Political Tensions
The row comes against the backdrop of a major opposition protest in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders marched towards the Election Commission, seeking action over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
The protest was stopped by police barricades. Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra later entered the Akashvani Bhawan premises and continued their protest. Both were subsequently detained, while Delhi Police registered an FIR over the alleged unauthorised entry.
KTR used the developments in Delhi to broaden his criticism of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, arguing that the party’s national campaign on democracy and electoral issues was inconsistent with its political conduct in Telangana.
KTR’s Two-Pronged Political Attack
KTR’s comments therefore focused on two fronts—Gandhi’s “vote chori” campaign and the Congress government’s actions in Telangana.
While his initial remarks centred on the Election Commission controversy and the arrest of BRS leader Krishank, his later response shifted towards the issue of political inheritance after supporters of the Congress described him as a “nepo kid”.
The exchange highlights the growing political friction between the BRS and Congress in Telangana, with both sides increasingly using national political controversies to strengthen their attacks on each other.