Several former ministers of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), who were ruling the roost in their districts when the party was in power and had made big money, have virtually gone silent now, baffling the party leadership and also the cadre.
Reports from the districts to the party headquarters have indicated that the party workers are unhappy with the former ministers for remaining inactive following the party’s defeat in the Telangana assembly elections.
Party cadre say many leaders who once wielded significant authority during the BRS government are now maintaining a low profile and distancing themselves from party activities.
During the party’s tenure in power under former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, several ministers were known for their strong influence in their respective districts and were frequently seen at the party’s headquarters, Telangana Bhavan, engaging in political and administrative discussions.
However, since the electoral defeat, many of these leaders have reportedly become inactive and are rarely seen participating in party programmes or addressing public issues.
Except two or three ministers like Vemula Prashant Reddy, G Jagadeesh Reddy and occasionally, Sabitha Indra Reddy, no other minister is seen actively involved in the party activities.
Of course, KCR’s son K T Rama Rao and nephew T Harish Rao are the only two leaders who are leading the party for now.
Even during the recent municipal elections, not many former BRS leaders were seen actively campaigning for the party, except Gangula Kamalakar in Karimnagar, Errabelli Dayakar Rao in Warangal and V Srinivas Goud in Mahabubnagar.
Some of the former BRS ministers like Sunitha Laxma Reddy, Satyavathi Rathod, Puvvada Ajay, Talasani Srinivas Yadav and Ch Malla Reddy are hardly seen in any of the party activities.
“Of course, there are no major party programmes in the districts now-a-days. Yet, these ministers are inaccessible to the cadre,” a party leader said.
The grassroots workers are questioning why leaders who once exercised considerable authority have now withdrawn from active politics.
Some party supporters believe that former ministers are reluctant to raise public issues or organise protests out of fear that the Congress government might initiate legal action against them.
Others argue that after enjoying power and accumulating political influence during the BRS regime, some leaders have chosen to remain silent rather than actively rebuild the party in opposition.
The perceived inaction of senior leaders has reportedly caused dissatisfaction within the party ranks. A party worker said former ministers should take responsibility for strengthening the party and supporting workers during a politically challenging period.
Party leadership is also believed to be closely watching the developments as pressure grows for senior leaders to re-engage with grassroots political activity.
