Since YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sister YS Sharmila joined the Congress, stakes were high on whether she will contest the Lok Sabha or the Assembly elections. Putting an end to all the suppositions, Sharmila is about to contest from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency— a seat that has its own significance for the YS family.
The parliamentary seat was represented by the current CM, YS Rajasekhar Reddy and Vivekananda Reddy for decades.
Both parliamentary election and assembly elections are slated to take place at the same time. And this time the seat will see tussle between cousins. Sharmila will be contesting against her cousin and incumbent YSRCP MP YS Avinash Reddy.
The electoral battle is being touted as a way to take revenge from Avinash Reddy, who is one of the accused in the murder of former minister and Chief Minister Vivekananda Reddy. The latter is Jagan’s uncle. Vivekananda was the younger brother of Sharmila’s father late YS Rajasekhar Reddy.
Sharmila’s decision to contest from Kadapa effectively means that the family feud will now evolve into a full-fledged political battle. More so because Pulivendla assembly constituency from where Jagan contests falls under Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.
So Sharmila’s candidature from Kadapa can also be viewed as a measure to suppress her own brother in his constituency.
Jagan’s sister Sharmila started her political venture from Telangana and went on to merge her outfit, YSR Telangana Party, into the Congress and then shifted its base to Andhra Pradesh and was appointed as the state unit chief.
Vivekananda Reddy’s murder on March 15, 2019, just before the assembly polls remains a contentious issue and the case is currently underway in a CBI Court in Hyderabad.
Vivekananda’s daughter, Sunitha Narreddy has come out in support of Sharmila with an aim to provide justice to her father. Both Sharmila and Sunitha have alleged that Jagan is shielding the accused in the case.
Announcing that she is fighting the Lok Sabha election from Kadapa, Sharmila said that it was not an easy decision as she is aware that it will split her family.
In a reference to Avinash Reddy, she alleged that Jagan had given Kadapa MP ticket to a murder of Vivekananda Reddy— a step which she opposes.
TDP has fielded C Bhupesh Reddy as its candidate for the seat.
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