HYDERABAD
In a significant political development, Y.S. Sharmila, the daughter of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, is on the brink of joining the Congress party. Sharmila, who had previously founded the YSR Telangana Party, embarked on an extensive campaign to win the hearts of Telangana’s people but fell short of the expected support. As a result, she has proposed to merge her party with the Congress, a move reportedly approved by the Congress high command.
- MEETING WITH KEY CONGRESS LEADERS: In the second week of August, Y.S. Sharmila held discussions with Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, following previous meetings with prominent Congress figure D.K. Shivakumar in Bangalore. Most recently, Sharmila, accompanied by her husband, met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. These discussions are believed to be in the final stages, with Sharmila showing willingness to merge her YSR Telangana Party with the Congress.
- POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS: Revanth Reddy, president of the Telangana Congress, has played a pivotal role in building the Congress party’s presence in Telangana, especially in preparation for next year’s elections. However, Revanth Reddy has expressed opposition to Sharmila’s entry into Congress, requesting the high command to refrain from merging her party and denying her a prominent position in Telangana politics. Nevertheless, the Congress high command appears determined to leverage Sharmila’s influence to bolster the party’s prospects in Telangana.
- A BID TO REGAIN LOST GROUND: The Congress, which had a strong presence in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, faced a decline after the bifurcation of the states. Currently, K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s BRS party holds power in Telangana, but the political landscape seems favourable for Congress. Sharmila’s potential entry is seen as an opportunity to bolster the party’s standing, capitalizing on her familial connection as YSR’s daughter to garner sympathy votes.
- INTRA-FAMILY RIVALRY: In a noteworthy twist, Sharmila’s brother, Jaganmohan Reddy, currently serves as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. However, an ongoing feud between Sharmila and Jaganmohan Reddy presents the Congress with a unique opportunity to exploit their differences. It is reported that Sharmila has agreed to actively campaign against her brother in Andhra Pradesh, further solidifying her alliance with the Congress.
With the merger of YSR Telangana Party into Congress appearing imminent, the political landscape in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is set for intriguing developments. Sharmila’s entry into Congress is poised to reshape the dynamics of both states’ politics, potentially influencing upcoming elections and solidifying Congress’ presence in the region.