BRS leader K Kavitha’s suspension from the party and subsequent resignation as an MLC have led to an uproar in the party, with a section of workers rallying against her. Kavitha's statement to the press, where she lashed out against her cousin and party leader Harish Rao, triggered a section within her party, who are now latching onto her surname to express their displeasure.
A section of BRS activists now wants Kavitha to stop using her maiden name ‘Kalvakuntla’ and start using her husband’s surname ‘Devanapalli’. So much so that some handles associated with the party have already begun using the name ‘Devanapalli’. Kavitha is married to Devanapalli Anil Kumar, a businessman.
One user took to X to state his disapproval. “Kavitha garu.. i think it’s time to stop using Kalvakuntla as your surname. All the best, “Devanapalli Kavitha Rao” garu. Kalvakuntla Kavitha Rao garu is the past. All the best with your new Jagruthi chapter.”
Kavitha is also facing a huge backlash after her decision to come out publicly about Harish Rao. Not only have her effigies been burnt in many places across the state, but her posters and banners have been removed from party offices. She is also being unfollowed on social media on a large scale.
Interestingly, Kavitha had made a shocking claim that Harish Rao handles the mainstream media, which she alleges was being used to attack her image. She also made a veiled attack on her brother KTR, who oversees the party’s digital presence. Kavitha accused both media arms of targeting her unfairly.
Local body poll hopes doused
Though Kavitha is yet to confirm that she will launch a new party, her decision to leave the party has come as a major set back for the BRS, which was banking on the upcoming local body elections in September to make a political comeback. The party had hoped to put up a good show after the dud at the recent Parliament elections.