Speculation rife over possible BRS-BJP tie-up, Kavitha writes to KCR citing feedback
Hyderabad(PTI): A handwritten “feedback” letter purportedly written by BRS leader K Kavitha to her father and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, highlighting both the negative and positive aspects of the party’s recent meeting, has sparked discussions in Telangana's political circles.
Though the authenticity of the letter has not been confirmed, neither Kavitha’s office nor that of KCR has commented on it.
“As you ( KCR) spoke for just two minutes, some people began speculating that there will be a tie-up with BJP in future. Even I personally felt that you should have spoken strongly (against BJP). It might be probably because I suffered (because of BJP). But you should have targeted BJP some more, Daddy,” Kavitha mentioned in the letter written in Telugu and English.
Despite hours passing since it surfaced, the opposition party has not issued a denial.
The BRS celebrated its Silver Jubilee on April 27 in Warangal.
Kavitha cited Rao's silence in the meeting on key issues such as 42 per cent reservation for backward classes, Scheduled Castes categorisation, Waqf Amendment Act, and omission of Urdu from his address as reasons for the negative feedback
The BRS MLC was unavailable for immediate comment as she is currently in the US to attend her son’s graduation ceremony.
In the letter, she further said the congress government has lost its support among the grassroots and some BRS cadres now view the BJP as a viable alternative.
Kavitha added that a strong signal was sent to the party workers when the BRS chose not to contest the recent MLC elections, suggesting they might align with the BJP.
“Everybody expected that you would give specific programmes or guidelines in order to address the political scenario. At least now we can hold a plenary for one or two days. Elicit as many opinions from cadres and give them a guideline,” she said, urging the former CM to act decisively.
The letter also expressed concerns that some Telangana movement activists were not treated properly or given a chance to speak during the Warangal event.
On a positive note, she praised her father for his stance on “Operation Kagar” and appreaciated his moment of silence for the victims of Pahalgam terror attack.
She concluded by congratulating him for the success of the Warangal meeting.
Meanwhile, BRS MLC Sravan Dasoju said he is unsure whether Kavitha actually wrote the letter currently in circulation.
Even if she did write it, there is nothing "shaky" about it as the contents of the letter were feedback in nature.
"It is a very normal feedback given by a daughter to a father or by a leader to a supreme leader. It's like (letter) consolidating and passing the feedback that she got from people," he told PTI.
Asked about the comments of BJP and Congress leaders that the letter indicates internal rifts in the party, Dasoju said there are other issues which are more pertinent to people like paddy procurement and unemployment.
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
