KT Rama Rao (KTR), the Working President of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), strongly defended Telangana's identity in response to comments made by Pawan Kalyan, the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and leader of the Jana Sena Party (JSP). Kalyan had questioned whether Telangana was anyone's 'father's estate,' prompting KTR to assert that the state belongs to its four crore residents. He emphasized that Telangana is the 'jaagir' of its people and highlighted the state's commitment to inclusivity and peace. KTR welcomed individuals from Andhra Pradesh, including Kalyan, to live and work in Hyderabad, pointing out the strong cultural ties that persist despite political boundaries. In contrast, Kalyan criticized local politicians for allegedly threatening his access to Hyderabad and expressed his grievances regarding the 2014 bifurcation of the state, claiming it was executed without dignity. He also acknowledged the BJP's strong presence in Telangana, indicating that the party does not rely on the support of his Jana Sena Party.