In normal times, silence from leaders might not stand out, but Telangana is currently reeling under severe rainfall, causing unprecedented damage. Crops have been destroyed, properties lost, and, tragically, lives have been affected. In such a critical situation, what is expected from a leader like KCR? At this moment, it’s irrelevant what any other leader is doing or not doing.
But who is KCR? He’s not just any leader—he’s the one who claimed to have single-handedly achieved the formation of Telangana. Not only was he the state’s first Chief Minister, but he also held the position for two consecutive terms. KCR, who once aspired to change the country’s political landscape by plunging into national politics, is known for his oratory in Telugu, English, and Urdu. He is a leader who can stand against anyone, a voracious reader who claims to have read over 1,80,000 books, and a visionary engineer who designed massive irrigation projects. In short, he’s perceived as all-powerful.
So, why is a leader like KCR remaining silent during such a calamity? As the Leader of the Opposition, a role equal in responsibility to the Chief Minister, one would expect him to act with great diligence during this time of crisis.
Shouldn’t he be visiting the flood-affected areas, offering comfort to the victims, and providing them with assurance? Shouldn’t he be rallying his party to engage in relief efforts? And if the government’s response is inadequate, shouldn’t he be holding them accountable? Yet, instead of taking action, it seems KCR is lamenting the loss of power, watching from the sidelines as his political rival sits in his former seat.
Meanwhile, Telangana’s Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, has urged KCR to step out of his farmhouse and visit the flood-affected regions. In neighboring Andhra Pradesh, the situation is also grim, but former Chief Minister Jagan is out in the field, consoling victims and overseeing relief efforts. KCR, who has far more political experience than Jagan, should be leading by example during such times.
Rather than calling on party members to protest the arrest of his daughter Kavitha, shouldn’t KCR be encouraging his party to participate in relief work during this crisis? Reports suggest that TRS (BRS) leaders have been largely absent from public view, and if the leader himself remains unseen, how can we expect the party members to show up?
