On December 29, 2025, K. Chandrashekar Rao entered the Telangana Assembly for what appeared to be a brief attendance ritual rather than substantive participation. Rumours circulated that the former Chief Minister showed up for just five minutes, signed the register, and left without speaking or engaging in debate. This comes amid speculation that BRS is avoiding scrutiny over past governance failures while keeping KCR’s presence on record to maintain political relevance. Such tokenism undermines the sanctity of the House and the very democracy BRS once championed.
The pattern echoes Jagan Mohan Reddy’s own tactics during his tenure and after. As YSRCP leader, Jagan frequently made short, ceremonial appearances in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, often only to fulfill quorum or attendance requirements before departing. These “hit-and-run” visits—rumoured to be coordinated for optics—left critical discussions on irrigation, jobs, and welfare to deputies. Both leaders, once known for commanding floor presence, now seem content with the bare minimum, turning a forum of accountability into a roll-call exercise.
When elected leaders reduce themselves to backbench students marking attendance, the real casualty is public trust. Legislatures exist for debate, not signatures. KCR’s brief entry and Jagan’s similar moves signal disengagement at a time when Telangana and Andhra face pressing issues—water disputes, unemployment, and economic recovery. Citizens expect active representation, not symbolic presence. If leaders treat the House as a formality, they risk being treated as irrelevant themselves. Democracy demands more than attendance; it demands participation.
