The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider the application of former BRS MLC K Kavitha for the registration of her political party, Telangana Praja Jagruti. The court dismissed Kavitha’s petition but ordered the ECI to review her application for registration under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Legal Proceedings and ECI’s Response

During the hearing, Kavitha’s counsel argued that the deficiencies in her application for registration, as identified by the ECI on February 23, have been addressed. The court, however, did not set a deadline for the ECI to process the application. The lawyer for the ECI, Advocate Sanjay Vashishtha, opposed Kavitha’s request to set a specific timeframe for the commission to act, stating that the ECI is currently conducting elections across the country.

Kavitha had filed a petition in the high court seeking a direction to the ECI to process and dispose of her application dated January 23 in a time-bound manner. The petition highlighted the need for the ECI to act expeditiously, as local body elections in Telangana are expected to be notified in mid-April. However, the court did not impose a timeline on the ECI, emphasizing that the commission has its own schedule to manage.

Kavitha’s counsel, however, stressed the urgency, pointing out that the political landscape in Telangana is evolving, and timely registration of her party would be crucial for her plans to contest upcoming assembly elections. The court acknowledged the request but refrained from imposing any specific deadline, leaving the matter to the discretion of the ECI.

Background of Kavitha’s Political Move

K Kavitha was suspended from the BRS in September 2025 after she accused her cousins and party leaders T Harish Rao and J Santosh Kumar of tarnishing her father’s image over the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project. She soon announced her resignation from the BRS and declared her intent to contest the next assembly elections under her own political platform.

Since her suspension, Kavitha has been actively working under the banner of Telangana Jagruti, focusing on public issues and rallying support for her political agenda. Her new party, Telangana Praja Jagruti, is expected to play a key role in the upcoming local body and assembly elections in the state.

The Kaleshwaram project, a major irrigation initiative, has been a point of contention within the BRS leadership. Kavitha’s allegations against her relatives and party leaders have led to a rift within the party, prompting her to seek independent political recognition.

Her father, K Chandrasekhar Rao, served as the former Chief Minister of Telangana and founded the BRS. His leadership in the state has been instrumental in shaping the political dynamics of the region, and Kavitha’s move could potentially alter the balance of power in the upcoming elections.

Implications for Telangana Politics

The decision by the Delhi High Court to direct the ECI to consider Kavitha’s application could have significant implications for the political landscape in Telangana. If her party is registered, it would provide her with a formal platform to contest elections and gain political recognition in the state.

Political analysts suggest that Kavitha’s move could create a new political force in Telangana, potentially challenging the existing parties. Her party’s focus on public issues and her personal credibility could attract a significant voter base, especially in areas affected by the Kaleshwaram project.

However, the ECI’s response to the court’s directive will determine the speed at which Kavitha’s party can be registered. The ECI has not yet indicated when it will review the application, and the lack of a deadline may delay the process. This could affect Kavitha’s ability to contest the upcoming elections, as the registration of a political party is a prerequisite for contesting elections.

Despite the uncertainty, Kavitha remains optimistic about her political future. She has been actively engaging with the public and promoting her agenda under the banner of Telangana Jagruti. Her efforts to build a political base could have a lasting impact on the state’s political dynamics, particularly in the run-up to the upcoming elections.

The outcome of the ECI’s consideration of Kavitha’s application will be closely watched by political observers, as it could influence the balance of power in Telangana. The registration of her party will be a critical step in her political journey and could reshape the state’s political landscape in the coming months.