N※N

KTR Warns Congress of Retaliation Over Rising Political Murders in Telangana

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. -over-rising-political-murders-in-telangana.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, December 14th 2025 at 22:11 GMT by The New Indian Express
      Locale: Telangana, INDIA

KTR Issues Stark Warning to Congress Over Political Murders, Threatens Retaliation If Action Is Not Taken

On December 15 2025, K. T. Rama Rao (KTR), the senior leader of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, delivered a fiery address to a gathering of party workers in Hyderabad. In what many observers described as a rare moment of direct confrontation, KTR warned the opposition Congress that the state government would consider “retaliatory measures” if the party failed to curb a wave of targeted political killings that have rattled Telangana’s political landscape.

A Surge in Political Violence

The TRS’s warning comes amid a troubling trend: in 2025 alone, Telangana police have recorded 18 incidents classified as “political murders” – deliberate, pre‑meditated killings of political activists, party workers, and local leaders. Recent high‑profile cases include the brutal murder of Congress youth activist Sandeep Nagar in Nalgonda district and the death of a senior Congress MLA in Karimnagar under suspicious circumstances. In each instance, the investigations have highlighted a pattern of intimidation, lack of protective measures for political personnel, and alleged complicity of local cadres.

KTR, speaking at a press conference, cited the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) figures and underscored that the number of political murders in Telangana is now the highest in the state’s post‑statehood history. He described the trend as “an assault on democracy itself” and called it “the most insidious form of political violence that erodes the public’s trust in governance.”

KTR’s Demand for Action

“I am calling on the Congress party to stop these murders,” KTR said. “If you do not take responsibility for the safety of your own members and allies, the TRS will be forced to take steps that will protect the democratic process and the safety of all political actors in Telangana.” He went on to point out that the Congress’s failure to provide security for its members had created a vacuum that other parties and criminal groups had exploited.

KTR added that the TRS has already stepped in to address the problem by:

• Deploying an additional 500 police officers in districts with a high incidence of political killings.
• Forming a specialized “Political Violence Task Force” to investigate and prosecute perpetrators with the speed and seriousness they deserve.
• Issuing a directive to the Telangana Police to establish a “Political Protection Cell” in every district.

According to KTR, these measures have already led to the arrest of 12 suspects linked to the Nalgonda and Karimnagar incidents. “We have shown that the TRS government can act swiftly,” he said. “We will do so again if the Congress fails to step up.”

Links to Congress’s Historical Record

KTR’s warning is not merely rhetorical; it references Congress’s historical track record in Telangana. In the 2024 “Political Violence Watch” report published by the Telangana Police, Congress was named as the most “indirectly involved” party, due to alleged failures in safeguarding its workers in several districts. In 2023, Congress was also the most criticized for not providing timely security during the election period in the Medak region, where a local leader was murdered after a heated campaign.

KTR also cited a 2024 Supreme Court order, which called for “special protection orders” for political figures in states with high violence rates. He implied that the Congress, despite the Court’s directive, has been slow to comply with the protection measures.

Potential Consequences for the Upcoming Elections

The state’s political calendar is heating up. The next Telangana Legislative Assembly election is scheduled for March 2026. KTR’s warning arrives at a time when the opposition is already grappling with the perception of being unable to protect its own leaders. Analysts predict that the continued escalation of political murders could have a chilling effect on voter turnout, especially among youth and minority communities who fear for their safety.

In a separate interview with the Indian Express, a senior Congress strategist acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “The Congress is taking steps to improve security for its workers. We have increased coordination with the police, and we are working on a framework to ensure protection for all our candidates,” he said. He added that the party would not be complacent and would seek “joint security protocols” with the TRS.

A Call for National Intervention

KTR also extended his plea beyond the state borders. He urged the central government to intervene if the state-level efforts prove insufficient. “We need a federal safety net, especially for political actors who find themselves targeted by criminal syndicates,” he said. “The central government should step in to provide additional resources and support to the Telangana Police.”

This request comes amid growing calls from civil society organizations for the central government to address rising political violence across India. A recent report by the Institute of Peace & Conflict Studies highlighted that in 2025, more than 30 political murders were reported in three major states: Telangana, West Bengal, and Karnataka.

Conclusion

KTR’s admonition of the Congress party is a stark reminder of the fragile state of democracy in Telangana. With the threat of retaliation hanging in the balance, the Congress’s response—or lack thereof—will be closely watched. As the state braces for the upcoming elections, the stakes are high: a failure to protect political participants could lead to further polarization, undermine democratic processes, and potentially trigger a broader national crisis. Whether the Congress will rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but KTR’s warning sets the tone for the coming months, making it clear that political violence in Telangana can no longer be tolerated.