Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), the new avatar of TRS, will debut in Karnataka Assembly polls, said BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday, who also unveiled his new party’s slogan – ‘Abki Baar Kisan Sarkar’ (This time a farmer’s government).

The presence of Janata Dal-Secular leader HD Kumaraswamy at Telangana Bhavan, the headquarters of the TRS when Rao formally launched the Bharat Rashtra Samithi as a national party, provided a firm indication that the two parties would forge an alliance for the Karnataka polls.

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“We are all going to share the task of fighting Karnataka elections,” said Rao, adding that they want Kumaraswamy as the future Chief Minister of Karnataka. The BRS will provide the much needed boost to JDS in border areas of North Karnataka, which boasts of substantial Telugu population since it was part of the erstwhile State of Hyderabad in British India.

On December 14, the BRS will unveil its office in a rented accommodation on Sardar Patel Marg in New Delhi. The construction of a permanent office building is likely to be completed next year.

Rao decided to launch the BRS in order to take on the Modi government at the Centre and provide the country an alternate model of development politics. “Definitely, India needs to draft a new economic policy and a new water policy,” said Rao, adding new power, agriculture, environmental and women empowerment policies will be drafted as well.

Today Chief Minister Rao marked the occasion of the formal launch of the BRS by signing the acknowledgement letter from the party to the Election Commission of India following its approval to the change of name of the party at the auspicious moment of 1:20 pm.

He was congratulated by Kumaraswamy who also sported a pink shawl around his neck and actor-politician Prakash Raj. Rao also unveiled the new party flag that has the map of India outlined in the pink background with the BRS printed on it in both Telugu and English.

He later hoisted the new party flag. Previously, the TRS flag had sported an ambassador car, the party’s electoral symbol within the map of Telangana. The day was not without historical significance since on December 9, 2009 Rao had broken his indefinite fast after the Centre promised to grant statehood to Telangana.

Arriving at the party headquarters Rao first garlanded the statue of Telangana Thalli (Mother) and then performed a special puja. The TRS supporters waiting outside marked the occasion with much fanfare bursting fire crackers, dancing in tune with drum beats and distributing sweets.

Telangana BJP unit spokesperson NV Subhash said: “The Election Commission has merely issued a letter approving the name change, from TRS to BRS and the party has to meet guidelines of EC to get national party recognition.”

Pointing that it was a ploy to transfer power to his son KT Rama Rao, Subhash wondered: “How can Chief Minister KCR make changes at the national level when he utterly failed to change the standard of living of the people of Telangana?”