Solapur-based party joins race for ‘TRS’ title

Hyderabad: Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS), launched by Kalvakuntla Kavitha, is facing competition for the title. A day before the party name was published in newspapers inviting objections from the public, as mandated by the Election Commission of India (ECI), another party with same acronym, Telangana Rastrasamajika Senna (TRS), sought recognition under the same title. Interestingly, while Kavitha’s TRS is based in Telangana, the other TRS is from Solapur of Maharashtra. Telangana Rastrasamajika Party president Dayanand Mahadeo Mamdyal and general secretary Tejas Dayanand Mamdyal have sought permission from the ECI for the party title.Kavitha’s TRS published advertisements in in English and Hindi newspapers on May 1 and May 3, respectively, Meanwhile, the Solarpur-based TRS notified the party title in a Hindi daily on April 30 and an English daily on May 2. After the Kavitha’s party filed its application with the ECI, around 600 to 700 objections were reportedly submitted against the Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) title, including one by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).The BRS reportedly stated in the complaint that the acronym ‘TRS’ is associated with the Telangana sentiment and that the party had fought for a separate Telangana state for 14 years. Even today, BRS is also referred to as ‘TRS’ in rural areas. “The TRS became BRS only about three and half years ago. How can the ECI allot the acronym ‘TRS’ to another party? It could damage our poll prospects in the future elections,” a senior BRS official said.“The ECI should wait at least 10 years before granting party title, including its acronym, to anyone. The ECI has already barred the use of names that are identical and closely resemble those of national and regional parties,” another BRS leader said. Interestingly, among the 14 recognised parties with the Telangana State Election Commission (TSEC), two already use the acronym ‘TRS’. One is Telangana Rakshana Samithi (TRS) Democratic, while the other is Telangana Rajya Samithi (TRS). Sources said Telangana Rajya Samithi (TRS) has reportedly filed an objection with the ECI against Kavitha’s use of the acronym TRS. Sources close to Kavitha confirmed that the ECI had received about 600 to 700 objections and that Kavitha or her representative would soon meet the ECI to clarify on the title issues.