YSRTP president YS Sharmila finally joined the Congress this year after long-winding speculations and negotiations. She was made the president of the party’s Andhra Pradesh unit two days ago — a move that kick-started an interesting political drama in Andhra Pradesh ahead of assembly elections.
Sharmila is now an opponent for her brother Jaganmohan Reddy, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh and president of YSRCP. The brother-sister duo has the backing of the legacy of their father YS Rajasekhar Reddy, a revered leader and former chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh.
As she plans to lock horns with her brother, experts weigh in on how Sharmila’s entry will affect the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh and if she will come a cropper as she did in Telangana.
E Venkateshu, a political science professor from Hyderabad Central University, said: “I do not think YS Sharmila’s joining can radically change the Congress party’s prospects in Andhra Pradesh. However, she has two things going in her favour — her father’s legacy and her arduous 3,000-km padayatra in AP in 2012. It’s a rare track record. Congress received just one per cent of the vote share in the last elections. It’s possible that some voters who are loyal to YSRCP will vote for her. If Congress’ share rises to even five per cent, it might pose a threat to YSRCP. This, of course, will be a very favourable development for the BJP-Jana Sena-TDP alliance.”
Sharmila has proved her mettle as a political activist. When Jagan was in jail, his sister and mother kept the party afloat. Her padayatra helped Jagan gain power in the state. However, she quit politics in that state and tried to build a base in Telangana. Now, it remains to be seen whether she is able to give Congress a fighting chance against YSRCP.
“The legacy of YS Rajasekhar Reddy has been entirely appropriated by her brother. However, a few disgruntled voters who are unhappy with YSRCP and the triple alliance might choose Congress. As of now, Congress and BJP have negligible presence in the state. There is another possibility. If YSRCP, through its surveys, finds that around five per cent of their vote is going to Sharmila, they may form an alliance with the Congress. The Left parties may join in too,” he added.
According to sources, property disputes have caused a rift between the two leaders. Also, Sharmila was reportedly miffed after her brother did not acknowledge her role in winning Andhra Pradesh.
Sharing his thoughts on Sharmila’s future prospects in AP, political analyst Kambalapally Krishna, who runs a consultancy called Voice of Telangana and Andhra, told News18: “Old YSR loyalists may vote for Sharmila. People who are unhappy with both YSRCP and TDP have nowhere to go, and Congress might look like an alternative now. But in case Sharmila decides to support her brother on the sly, Congress has to bear the consequences. In another possibility, there might be a friendly contest between TDP and Congress.”
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