Date: December 11, 2024
10 Months of Sharmila: Targeting Jagan, Missing Congress Revival
YS Sharmila’s Political Journey: Targeting Jagan, Revive Congress
It has been 10 months since YS Sharmila assumed the role of Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president. Her entry marked a significant political shift, as she embarked on a mission to weaken her brother, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, amid their ongoing family disputes. While her personal agenda remains evident, the question is whether Sharmila’s efforts have benefited the Congress party in Andhra Pradesh. Targeting her brother Jagan but failed to revive Congress’s vote share.
Sharmila’s Initial Strategy to Targeting Jagan
One of Sharmila’s primary goals upon taking charge was to reconnect with traditional Congress cadres who had shifted their allegiance to Jagan’s YSR Congress Party (YCP). The Congress leadership hoped to reclaim its loyal vote bank and weaken Jagan’s stronghold by appointing Sharmila.
In her attempts, Sharmila reached out to former Congress stalwarts, including Konathala Ramakrishna. However, many of these leaders declined her proposal. Notably, Alla Ramakrishna Reddy, a YCP leader, initially joined Sharmila’s camp but quickly returned to Jagan’s fold, leaving Congress and Sharmila in a vulnerable position.
Mixed Responses from Senior Leaders
While Sharmila’s entry reactivated senior Congress leaders like Raghuveera Reddy and Tulasi Reddy, others like Sailajanadh, who stood by Congress through challenging times, became notably silent after her appointment.
The 2024 Elections: A Grim Reality for Congress
The 2024 Andhra Pradesh elections were a critical test for Sharmila’s leadership. Under her guidance, Congress contested all 175 assembly seats, aiming to secure at least a 5% vote share by targeting traditional and YS loyalists. However, the party managed only 1.7%, a significant disappointment.
Adding to the setback, Sharmila herself lost her deposit in the Kadapa parliamentary constituency, underscoring Congress’s inability to regain its footing in the state.
Sharmila’s Dual Agenda
Sharmila’s campaign had a dual focus:
- Targeting Jagan: Her relentless efforts to weaken Jagan’s position, fueled by their personal disputes and her fight for justice for her Babai Viveka’s murder, resonated with a segment of the population.
- Reviving Congress: However, her broader mission to improve Congress’s standing fell short, as the party failed to capitalize on her efforts.
While Jagan faced a historic defeat in the elections, Congress could not translate this into tangible gains under Sharmila’s leadership.
Conclusion
Sharmila’s 10-month tenure as APCC president reflects a mixed bag of personal satisfaction and political disappointment. While she played a role in bringing down Jagan, her efforts to revive Congress remained ineffective, highlighting the challenges of balancing personal and political agendas in a competitive landscape.