Making a mark on T'gana politics not a cakewalk for Sharmila
A series of developments last week added some spice to the otherwise dull politics in Telangana which has been completely dominated by the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) since the formation of the state in 2014.
image for illustrative purpose
A series of developments last week added some spice to the otherwise dull politics in Telangana which has been completely dominated by the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) since the formation of the state in 2014.
The first development was A Revanth Reddy taking over as the new president of the Congress party in the state on July 7. The firebrand leader brought new enthusiasm among the party cadre and raised hopes of a revival of the grand old party's fortunes in its former stronghold.
The next day saw Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's sister YS Sharmila formally entering Telangana politics with the launch of her YSR Telangana Party.
The resignation of Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) Telangana unit president L Ramana from the party on July 9 and his decision to join TRS was the third consecutive development, although not of much political significance as TDP's presence in Telangana has almost come to an end.
The emergence of a new party on Telangana's political scene sparked a debate in political circles. When seasoned politician and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu failed to keep the TDP afloat in Telangana, how will Sharmila succeed in taking on the TRS, which claims to be the only true champion of Telangana sentiment?
Like Chandrababu Naidu, Sharmila is also seen as a leader from Andhra. The TRS sees her entry as another attempt by Andhra leaders to meddle in Telangana.
Sharmila, like her brother, is trying to invoke the legacy of their father YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who was the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh.
YSR, as Rajasekhara Reddy was popularly known, served as the Chief Minister from 2004 to 2009. He died in a helicopter crash on September 2, 2009, a few months after the Congress party under his leadership retained power.
Sharmila, 47, made her formal political foray on the birth anniversary of YSR. Like the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), Sharmila's political outfit also has YSR's name.
