Two months ago, the government advisor Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy of the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YCP) made a confident remark: “Sharmila does not affect us. She is not a competition for us.” However, recent events have proven this prediction to be greatly mistaken. The YCP is experiencing significant setbacks, particularly in the Rayalaseema region.
The brutal murder of Vivekananda Reddy continues to affect the party’s standing. This sentiment has prominently resonated among the people. Sharmila, now the Andhra Pradesh Congress Party (APCP) chief, contested as an MP from Kadapa. Whether she wins or loses this battle remains to be seen but her influence is undeniable.
Sharmila has dealt a severe blow to the YCP in the Seema region. YCP originally secured 49 MLA seats but has now dwindled to holding only 4-6 seats in the region. This sharp decline clearly indicates the power of Sharmila’s impact.
For a long time, YCP has depended heavily on the Seema region for support. However, Sharmila’s entry along with TDP and JSP aliance changed the dynamics. Sharmila focused her efforts on the Seema districts, appealing directly to the people and requesting their votes. This strategy has clearly paid off, as is evident from the latest election results.
Key constituencies like Nandyala where previously YCP strongholds, have shifted allegiance. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is surging towards victory, further solidifying the power shift. Alliance parties are gaining in up to 50 out of the 54 seats. Particularly remarkable is the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) lead in the Dharmavaram constituency, one of YCP’s traditional strongholds.
The results are crystal clear: Sharmila’s and aliance influence is nothing to scoff at. She has played a crucial role in shaking up the Seema region’s electoral landscape. This shift is a major setback for the YCP, which had long dominated the area.
On top of this, the YCP has faced a significant blow in terms of overall electoral success. The party could secure 0 seats in 8 districts, further illustrating the magnitude of the shift.
