Update: KTR Starts Following Harish; Kavitha Stays Off

HYDERABAD: Who follows whom on social media within the top echelons of the BRS appeared to have stirred a strong storm in a teacup on Monday, with reports that appeared on various social media handles on the subject apparently triggering some ‘quick corrections’ as well as angry reactions from the party. The BRS accused the Revanth Reddy-led government and the Congress of orchestrating a divisive and smear campaign against BRS leaders.

It all began with reports doing the rounds that BRS president and former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had ‘unfollowed’ senior party leader and nephew T. Harish Rao on Instagram, and that Harish Rao is not followed by party working president and cousin K.T. Rama Rao, and party MLC K Kavitha, also Harish Rao’s cousin. This apparently prompted Rama Rao to 'follow' Harish Rao. While the BRS official handle also follows Harish Rao, he does not figure in those followed by Kavitha.

BRS leaders, led by their MLC Dr Sravan Dasoju, lodged a complaint with the cybercrime division of the police, demanding a probe and action against several social media handles alleging that they were spreading fake reports.

“These are deliberate attempts to destabilise the party in the wake of the BRS’ success of its silver jubilee public meeting on April 27,” Dr Dasoju said, after lodging the complaint with the police.

Meanwhile, Harish Rao, taking to X, said “Telangana Congress Party’s fake propaganda machine under @revanth_anumula must be stopped! Failing to deliver, they’re resorting to diversion & mudslinging. We’ll expose their lies & take punitive legal action! Shame!!”