After nearly eight months of relative political quiet, K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and former Chief Minister of Telangana, is gearing up to step back into active public campaigning. According to party sources, KCR will begin addressing a series of public rallies starting in the second week of January 2026, signalling a strategic push by the party to highlight critical issues related to irrigation and water management in the state, while also consolidating party support in the face of internal challenges and rising anti-incumbency sentiments against the ruling Congress government.

The announcement of KCR’s return to the public stage came after his visit to Telangana Bhavan, the party headquarters, on December 21. Party insiders noted that KCR’s decision to take direct action comes as part of a broader strategy to counter what he perceives as the state government’s neglect of irrigation projects, particularly the long-pending Palamuru-Ranga Reddy lift irrigation scheme on the Krishna River. The project, long awaited by farmers and communities dependent on the river for agriculture, has been a central plank of KCR’s critique of the current administration.

Preparations and Strategic Meetings

On the night of December 27, KCR convened a key meeting at his Erravalli farmhouse in Siddipet district with senior BRS leaders to chart the roadmap for the forthcoming public outreach. According to party sources present at the meeting, KCR offered detailed guidance on mobilising both public sentiment and party cadres for a state-wide agitation. The agenda reportedly focused on a dual approach: raising awareness of irrigation issues and consolidating the party’s political influence ahead of potential electoral challenges.

The meeting also discussed KCR’s planned attendance at the winter session of the Telangana state assembly, beginning December 29. This will mark only the third occasion in two years that KCR, who currently serves as the Leader of Opposition, will participate in assembly proceedings. The first time was in July 2024, when he attended briefly, and the second in March 2025 during the governor’s address in the budget session. Sources suggest that KCR will use the assembly session not just to critique the government’s handling of water resources but also to evaluate the legislative agenda before shaping his subsequent public outreach strategy.

Following the assembly session, KCR plans a massive public rally at a mandal headquarters near Mahabubnagar, likely in the second week of January. This rally will highlight the alleged neglect of Telangana’s water interests and aim to mobilise large numbers of citizens from surrounding constituencies. Party leaders have been instructed to commence preparations immediately, including producing wall posters, pamphlets, and conducting local hall meetings to raise awareness and build public momentum for the event.

Focus on Key Constituencies

Reports indicate that the upcoming rallies will be strategically targeted to maximise political impact. KCR’s plan involves mobilising people from Munugode and Devarakonda constituencies in Nalgonda district, as well as from Vikarabad and the undivided Mahabubnagar district. Subsequent phases of the campaign will include rallies in Ranga Reddy and additional Nalgonda districts, creating a sustained wave of public engagement aimed at highlighting Telangana’s water rights and holding the government accountable for delays in critical irrigation projects.

The BRS leadership is emphasising a highly coordinated approach, combining grassroots mobilisation with visible political messaging. Party cadres have reportedly been instructed to engage in door-to-door outreach, community hall meetings, and distribution of literature highlighting the government’s alleged inaction on water projects. According to sources, the BRS intends to create both a digital and offline narrative that positions KCR as the protector of Telangana’s water interests and consolidates support among farmers and rural voters, who form the backbone of the party’s traditional base.

Political Context and Internal Dynamics

Political analysts note that KCR’s return to active rallies is not solely driven by anti-incumbency concerns. The timing and urgency of the campaign also appear linked to internal challenges within the BRS, particularly the emergence of his daughter, Kalvakuntla Kavitha, as a potential rival force within regional politics.

C R Sukumar, a political analyst, said, “Kavitha’s talk of forming a new regional outfit, coupled with her criticisms of perceived ‘BJP coverts’ within the BRS, indirectly challenges decisions made by the party’s inner circle. While she avoids direct criticism of KCR, the overall effect is a weakening of the BRS’s control over the Telangana political narrative. If unaddressed, this could lead to a splinter regional formation drawing from the same political base.”

This internal dynamic underscores the importance of KCR’s public rallies not only as a platform for raising irrigation issues but also as a mechanism to reassert his leadership and consolidate the party ahead of potential factional challenges. The rallies are expected to serve a dual purpose: reinforcing KCR’s image as a champion of Telangana’s water rights while simultaneously sending a signal of unity and authority within the party structure.

The Irrigation Issue and Palamuru-Ranga Reddy Project

Central to KCR’s planned campaign is the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy lift irrigation project, which has long been a flashpoint in Telangana politics. The scheme, intended to provide irrigation facilities to drought-prone regions and enhance agricultural productivity, has faced multiple delays. KCR has consistently criticised the current government for inaction, framing it as a neglect of farmers’ needs and regional water rights.

The upcoming rallies will likely emphasise the significance of the project, detailing its potential impact on agriculture, local employment, and regional development. KCR’s strategy appears to focus on combining emotive public messaging with tangible policy critique, reinforcing the narrative that water resource management remains a critical failure of the current administration.

Rally Strategy and Mobilisation

According to party insiders, KCR has instructed local BRS units to begin intensive preparatory work immediately. This includes mobilisation of volunteers, engagement with community leaders, and coordination with local media to ensure maximum visibility. The rallies are expected to be carefully choreographed, with a combination of speeches, cultural programs, and public interactions to attract diverse segments of society, including farmers, youth, and women voters.

Digital outreach is also expected to play a significant role, with social media campaigns highlighting government inaction on irrigation projects and promoting the public rallies. Party insiders suggest that BRS intends to use a blend of traditional political outreach and modern communication strategies to maximise impact and sustain momentum across multiple districts.

Conclusion

K Chandrasekhar Rao’s planned series of rallies marks a significant return to active politics after months of relative quiet. With a focus on irrigation issues, water rights, and public mobilisation, KCR aims to strengthen the BRS’s political position in Telangana while addressing growing internal challenges, particularly from his daughter Kavitha. The strategic combination of legislative engagement, targeted constituency mobilisation, and state-wide public outreach indicates a meticulously planned campaign designed to consolidate support, assert leadership, and position the BRS effectively amid anti-incumbency pressures against the ruling Congress government.

As the rallies commence in January’s second week, all eyes will be on the turnout, public response, and the broader political ramifications, not just for Telangana’s governance debates but also for the evolving internal dynamics of the BRS. KCR’s actions over the next few months are likely to shape the party’s trajectory and influence the state’s political landscape significantly in 2026.

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