The newly appointed president of the Andhra Pradesh Congress, YS Sharmila, has emerged as a formidable challenger for the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), leaving no opportunity to criticize her brother, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and his camp. After launching a series of verbal attacks against Jagan, Sharmila is now poised to directly confront the YSRCP in the electoral arena.
Recent reports suggest that Sharmila is on the verge of confirming her candidacy for the Kadapa parliamentary seat on behalf of the Congress party. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) leadership is said to be urging her to contest from the Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency, which has been under the sway of the YS family since 1989. If she decides to run, Sharmila will face off against her cousin and close associate of Jagan, YS Avinash Reddy, the incumbent MP from Kadapa.
Sharmila has been vocal about the murder of her uncle, YS Vivekananda Reddy, alleging involvement by members of her own family. By contesting against Avinash Reddy in the Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency, she could significantly escalate her political battle against Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Since Jagan vacated the Kadapa MP seat in 2014, YS Avinash Reddy has won twice (in 2014 and 2019). Historically, the YSR family has faced little competition in Kadapa, making victory for YSRCP candidates almost assured. However, Sharmila’s potential candidacy introduces a new dynamic, potentially fracturing the YSRCP’s traditional voter base and injecting a new level of intrigue into the Kadapa MP election campaign.
Andhra Pradesh Elections 2024: YS Jagan’s bus yatra from March 26
