Congress leaders gather, voices raised outside KCR’s Siddipet home
Congress leaders staged a sarcastic welcome for KCR, rolling out a red carpet and flowers to underline their protest.
A political stir unfolded in Telangana’s Siddipet on Sunday, January 4, as a group of Congress leaders staged a protest outside Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president K Chandrasekhar Rao’s (KCR) residence. The demonstrators demanded that KCR, who represents the Gajwel constituency, attend the ongoing winter session of the Telangana Assembly, highlighting ongoing tensions between the state’s political parties.
Videos circulating on social media captured Congress leaders sitting outside KCR’s residence at Erravalli, raising slogans such as “We don’t want an MLA who doesn’t attend the Assembly.” Their protest underscored frustrations over what they described as the former Chief Minister’s long absence from legislative proceedings and his perceived lack of attention to local issues.
In a strikingly symbolic gesture, the Congress leaders rolled out a red carpet and scattered flowers in front of KCR’s residence as a sarcastic “welcome,” drawing attention to their disapproval in a dramatic yet non-violent manner. The action was both a critique and a form of political theatre, meant to emphasize the urgency of their message to the BRS leader.
KCR’s presence in the Assembly itself had been limited in recent years. He attended the Telangana Assembly in December 2025 after an absence of nearly two years, signaling his return to active participation in legislative matters. His attendance comes at a politically charged time, as Congress and BRS remain at odds over contentious issues, particularly water disputes affecting different regions of the state. Analysts viewed KCR’s return as indicative of a heated winter session ahead, with debates and confrontations likely to dominate proceedings.
During his return, KCR was welcomed warmly by BRS MLAs inside the Assembly premises, reflecting the loyalty he commands within his party. Even Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy greeted KCR during the first day of the session, highlighting the complex dynamics between the ruling Congress and the opposition leader. While the greetings indicated formal courtesy, they did little to mask the underlying tensions between the parties.
Just prior to the Assembly session, KCR criticized the Revanth Reddy government, stating that it had failed to put sufficient pressure on the Union Government regarding key projects. He specifically mentioned the Palamuru-Rangareddy irrigation project, alleging that the Union Government had merely returned a detailed project report without meaningful intervention. The remarks reflected ongoing concerns about water management, irrigation, and resource allocation—issues that have long been politically sensitive in Telangana.
The Chief Minister, in turn, responded sharply, pointing out that KCR had been mostly absent from the Assembly during the past two years. Revanth Reddy’s response suggested a tit-for-tat dynamic between the ruling Congress and the opposition, with each side seeking to underscore the other’s perceived failures and inaction. Analysts noted that such exchanges are likely to set the tone for a session marked by vigorous debate, confrontations, and strategic posturing from both parties.
The protest outside KCR’s Siddipet residence also highlighted the increasing impatience among local political workers and leaders who feel that the region’s issues have not received adequate attention. Their message was clear: elected representatives must be accountable and actively participate in legislative processes, particularly when constituents face challenges related to infrastructure, irrigation, and development.
By staging a sit-in and employing symbolic gestures like the red carpet and flowers, Congress leaders sought to communicate both respect for KCR’s political stature and frustration at his absence. Such creative forms of protest are a hallmark of Indian political culture, where symbolism often amplifies a political message more effectively than words alone.
For KCR, the winter session represents an opportunity to assert his leadership, address grievances, and respond to criticism from both political rivals and constituents. At the same time, his presence in the Assembly is being closely watched as a barometer of how the opposition will position itself against the ruling party on key issues.
As Telangana moves through the winter session, it is clear that political theatrics, public demonstrations, and pointed debates will continue to shape the state’s legislative landscape. The protest at KCR’s Siddipet residence, along with his return to the Assembly, signals a period of heightened political engagement, where leaders are expected to navigate both policy discussions and the demands of public perception.
Ultimately, the events in Siddipet reflect the broader dynamics of Telangana politics: a balancing act between accountability, opposition strategy, and public pressure. For constituents, the hope is that such political activity translates into tangible action on pressing issues like water management, infrastructure development, and governance, rather than remaining limited to symbolism and rhetoric.
KCR’s attendance at the Assembly and the protests outside his home together underscore a crucial lesson in democracy—leaders cannot remain distant from the institutions they serve, and the public, along with political colleagues, will find creative ways to demand attention and accountability.