Bharat Rashtra Samithi president and former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao once again skipped the assembly session that commenced on Saturday for the winter session.
The reason is clear. The last time he appeared was to take his oath and once again to retain his MLA position, as mandated by assembly rules.
Beyond such technical compulsions, KCR has largely retreated from public life, signalling a deliberate withdrawal from active politics.
While it is very clear that KCR doesn’t want to see chief minister A Revanth Reddy sitting opposite to him in the treasury benches, this time, there is yet another reason for his continued absence.
He wants to avoid discussion on Justice P C Ghose commission report on irregularities in Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.
The project, once touted as KCR’s flagship achievement is now described by experts and committees as a monumental failure.
From planning and design flaws to execution lapses, the collapse of three barrages has turned the project into a political and financial embarrassment.
The state government is preparing to table the Ghosh Committee report in the assembly, which reportedly highlights systemic blunders in the project.
The report will pave the way for heated debates and demands for accountability, making KCR the focal point of criticism.
For a leader known for his pride and political dominance, sitting through sharp attacks — many from first-time MLAs — would be a bitter pill to swallow.
Political analysts point out that KCR, once the unchallenged face of Telangana pride, now appears unwilling to engage in an assembly that is ready to hold him accountable.
Sources in the Congress say Revanth Reddy sees the Kaleshwaram scandal as both a political opportunity and personal vindication.
By repeatedly cornering KCR, his son K T Rama Rao and nephew Harish Rao in public forums and assembly discussions, the Congress government is indicating that there will be no let-up until responsibility for the multi-crore project fiasco is fixed.
Political observers note that KCR’s absence has only emboldened Revanth.
"This is a form of political ragging," said a senior analyst, describing how the ruling party is keeping the pressure on the BRS leadership, forcing them to defend their record.
KCR’s continued absence, and his confinement to his farmhouse, has drawn sharp criticism from citizens and political commentators.
Despite being the Leader of the Opposition, his absence during critical debates is being perceived as a dismissive attitude toward public issues.
“People wanted him to be a responsible opposition leader. Instead, his silence signals political denial,” a political observer noted.