NAVEENA GHANATE
naveena.ghanate@gmail.com
Hyderabad
The BRS has made it clear that its chief, K. Chandrasekhar Rao, will continue as the Leader of Opposition in the Telangana Legislative Assembly for the remaining three and a half years of the government’s term, with all the entitlements that come with the post.
Despite repeated demands by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Congress leaders to appoint a Dalit or Backward Class MLA to the post, the BRS leadership is firm that KCR will retain the role.
Chief Minister Revanth had reiterated his demand and said a few days ago, “Since KCR did not fulfil his promise to make a Dalit the Chief Minister, at least now they should consider giving leadership to a Dalit. KCR is, anyway, not attending the Assembly. It would be good to offer the Leader of the Opposition post to a Dalit. The family should now show loyalty by handing over leadership to Dalits. We have equal regard for the Nehru family as well as Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress President.”
BRS leaders say the debate being fuelled by the Congress is aimed at pushing KCR into a symbolic post or forcing a change that the BRS is unwilling to make.
“We will not fall into Revanth’s trap. KCR is the tallest leader in Telangana and deserves nothing less than the Cabinet rank that the Leader of the Opposition is entitled to under law,” sources said.
According to the provisions under the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition Act, a recognised LoP gets all the privileges of a Cabinet Minister, including a government bungalow, office space, personal staff, an official vehicle, security cover, and travel allowances. The BRS expects all these to be honoured by the government.
While KCR may not be present in the Assembly every day, he is expected to attend once every 60 days or as required, and his absence does not diminish the constitutional status of his role.
“This is not about physical presence alone. It’s about who has the political capital to lead the Opposition. The Congress knows it, and that’s why they are trying to change that. Nobody is in the race, neither Harish Rao nor anyone else. They are clear on the stature that KCR deserves and there is no second thought about it,” BRS sources said.
The Congress, on its part, has been attempting to corner the BRS on the LoP issue for months. Revanth recently took a public jibe at the allowances given to KCR in his new role. In March, the CM said that KCR took Rs 57,84,124 as salary in 15 months but attended the Assembly for just two days. But BRS insiders say such remarks are politically driven and lack moral ground.
BRS sources say KCR’s presence, even if limited to select Assembly sessions, brings unmatched gravitas to the Opposition and that the demand for his replacement is being viewed as an attempt to weaken the opposition.
