EC Issues Notice to Kalvakuntla Kavitha Over Use of ‘TRS’ Party Name

A fresh political controversy has emerged in Telangana after the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued notices to Kalvakuntla Kavitha over the name of her newly launched political party, following a large number of objections and complaints.

According to sources, the Election Commission received more than 1,100 representations from various individuals and groups, including objections reportedly raised by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) , regarding the proposed use of the abbreviation “TRS” by Kavitha’s party.

Kavitha had initially sought to register her new political outfit under the name Telangana Rajya Sena , which would have retained the acronym TRS . However, the Election Commission raised concerns that the proposed name closely resembled the former identity of the BRS, which was originally founded by K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) before being renamed Bharat Rashtra Samithi.

The poll body reportedly expressed apprehension that the similarity could create confusion among voters and asked Kavitha to consider an alternative name. In response, she revised the party’s name to Telangana Rakshana Sena , while retaining the acronym TRS .

The revised name was approved by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in April this year, allowing the party to continue using the abbreviated title “TRS”. Despite the approval, objections linked to the original proposal continued to be pursued before the Election Commission, ultimately leading to the latest notices.

Political observers note that the dispute goes beyond a simple naming issue, as the acronym TRS carries significant emotional and political value in Telangana due to its association with the statehood movement and the party that spearheaded the campaign for a separate state.

Sources close to Kavitha indicate that she is unlikely to accept the Election Commission’s latest move without challenge and is exploring legal options. Her supporters argue that the acronym represents years of political struggle and public mobilisation that culminated in the formation of Telangana.

Kavitha launched her new party in April at a convention in Medchal, several months after parting ways with the BRS. The dispute over the use of the TRS name is now expected to move into the legal arena, setting the stage for another high-profile political battle in Telangana.