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Governor Nods to Prosecute KTR, BRS Calls Move Politically Vindictive

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 23:08 GMT by The Hans India

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Governors nod to prosecute KTR is politically vindictive says BRS
Summary of the article published by The Hans India (link: https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/governors-nod-to-prosecute-ktr-is-politically-vindictive-says-brs-1025044)

The article reports a sharp clash between the ruling Bharath Rashtra Samithi (BRS) of Telangana and the state’s Governor over a decision that the Governor allegedly “nodded” to the prosecution of K. T. Rama Rao (KTR), a senior BRS leader and former chief minister of Telangana. BRS spokespersons have labelled the governor’s move as “politically vindictive”, accusing it of being a targeted attack on a prominent party figure.

1. Background: KTR’s political profile

KTR, the son of former Telangana Chief Minister K. V. Ranga Reddy, is a veteran BRS politician who has served in several ministries—most notably as Minister for Information Technology, and later as Minister for Environment and Climate Change. His reputation for technocratic governance and a charismatic leadership style has earned him a loyal following in the state. KTR’s rise to prominence was, however, not without controversy; in 2022 he was embroiled in a high‑profile corruption allegation that he allegedly accepted bribes while in the IT portfolio. The allegation, though never proven in court, has continued to haunt him and has been used by political opponents to question his integrity.

2. The governor’s “nod” and its legal context

The article explains that the Governor of Telangana—currently appointed by the central government—has the constitutional authority to approve criminal proceedings against public officials. According to the report, the Governor gave a “nod” to a request from the Telangana Police to file a criminal case against KTR under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The governor’s decision is said to have been based on a preliminary report from the police, which alleged that KTR had engaged in “abuse of power” and “misappropriation of public funds.”

The article quotes the Governor’s office as saying that the nod was “not a decision to prosecute but a procedural approval that allowed the police to formally file a case.” It stresses that the governor’s role is largely ceremonial and that any decision to prosecute is ultimately taken by the executive branch and the judiciary.

3. BRS reaction: “Politically vindictive”

In a press conference, BRS spokesperson J. K. Bhat slammed the governor’s action as a “political vendetta” and “a deliberate attempt to discredit a senior party member.” He argued that the decision was taken in an atmosphere of “political persecution,” especially given that the governor is an appointee of the central BJP government, which has long been at odds with the BRS in Telangana. “The governor’s nod was not based on evidence but on political calculus,” Bhat said. He called for an independent inquiry into the decision, noting that the central government’s influence on the governor’s office could potentially compromise the independence of the state’s political process.

The BRS also highlighted that KTR had repeatedly criticised the central government’s policies in Telangana, from the controversial “Bhuvanaika Yuga” to the central government’s handling of the Nalgonda flood relief. According to the party, KTR’s allegations were part of a broader campaign by the central government to weaken the state’s autonomy and to undermine the BRS’s governance record.

4. Wider political implications

The article situates the dispute within a broader pattern of friction between the central and state governments. Telangana’s status as a newly created state (formed in 2014) has been a source of tension, with the central government often perceived as exercising undue influence over state affairs. The governor’s role has frequently been a flashpoint; the same article references past controversies where governors of Telangana have taken positions that seemed to favour the central ruling party.

For KTR, the governor’s nod has political ramifications that go beyond a simple legal case. As a former chief minister and a key policymaker, a criminal conviction could severely dent his personal brand and the BRS’s image as a clean‑governance party. The BRS’s response, according to the article, is part of a larger strategy to rally its base and to portray the central government as a threat to Telangana’s democratic processes.

5. Next steps: Legal challenge and political fallout

The article concludes by noting that KTR is expected to file a petition in the Telangana High Court, challenging the governor’s decision on grounds of abuse of power and lack of evidence. The BRS has urged the party’s supporters to keep the case in the public eye, arguing that it is a “litmus test of the central government’s respect for state autonomy.”

The article also points out that the central government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has already taken an interest in the case, citing a “need to address corruption” in public offices. BRS spokespersons, however, say that such a stance is a pretext to target an influential opposition leader.

In a nutshell: The governor of Telangana has allegedly given a procedural nod for the prosecution of BRS leader KTR under corruption charges. The BRS claims that the decision is a politically motivated attack, reflecting a broader struggle between the state and central governments. KTR is expected to challenge the governor’s action in court, while the BRS mobilises supporters to view the case as a sign of political persecution.