While YS Jagan says he is confident of replacing the 81 MLAs and intends to seek votes in his 'own name', Sharmila relies on YSR’s legacy.
Published May 11, 2024 | 7:00 PM ⚊ Updated May 12, 2024 | 9:34 AM
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. YS Sharmila
Amid the campaign hustle in the united Andhra Pradesh during the 2009 elections, the late Congress Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy introduced his 36-year-old son, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who was running for the Kadapa MP seat then.
Appealing to his hometown, Kadapa, considered his stronghold, YSR said, “With a passion to develop this region, young and enthusiastic, he will be among you as a brother and a son, standing by your side. He is seeking your support, please give him your blessings and backing.”
With the cheering crowds and the glare of fans, YS Jagan, with folded hands and a shy smile, stood beside his father. The Congress returned to power, and YS Jagan made his debut into the parliament.
Much has flowed into the Krishna River since then: his father passed away, he parted ways with the Congress after being denied the Chief Minister position, and the state was bifurcated.
Yet YS Jagan Mohan Reddy remains undefeated in Kadapa. He has served twice as the Kadapa MP and three times as the Pulivendula MLA.
In 2019, he went on to become the Chief Minister of the bifurcated Andhra Pradesh.
However, what has now turned into a family showdown, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is being challenged by his sister, YS Sharmila, the Andhra Pradesh Congress chief, who claims to be the “rightful political successor”.
Nothing less is seen now for YS Sharmila’s introduction to Kadapa people, despite her late father’s absence. Sharmila invokes the sentiment of his father’s voice on her campaign trail in the streets of Kadapa.
The iconic voice of his father is being played greeting the crowd on her vehicle: “Namaste amma (mother), akka (sister), and paapa (child). Namaste, namaste to all.”
Standing atop an open vehicle adorned with party posters, Sharmila addresses the gatherings, repeating the lyrics of her election song, suggesting she was introduced to politics like a sword forged in fire. “I am the daughter of Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy. Vote for me, make me victorious,” she urges the crowd.
The fight for YSR’s political legacy is closely being watched by media and political analysts. However, questions are being raised about whether YS Sharmila can effectively appeal to YSR’s voter base.
“Vote for Rajanna bidda” (Rajasekhar’s son) has been the rallying cry often used by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy since he parted ways with the Congress and formed the regional party YSRC in 2011. At that time, Sharmila and her mother YS Vijayalakshmi, campaigned for YSRCP and echoed the same appeal.
From his campaign vehicle to the entire yatra, everything carried YSR’s branding, and the songs that played loudly resonated YSR’s name — eventually the legacy of YSR is taken over by the family from the grand old party that his father led.
“There’s not a single instance where YS Jagan is presented without mentioning ‘Rajanna bidda.’ This was evident in both 2014 and 2019 manifestos,” says Subramanyam Sharma, a senior journalist and political analyst who covered YS Jagan’s campaigns.
The 2014 manifesto has YSR’s signature and YS Jagan’s picture along with YSR. Whereas the 2019 manifesto has YSR’s popular slogan “Nenu Vinnanu, Nenu Unnanu” (I hear you and I’m here for you), with the picture of the father-son duo.
When asked if YS Jagan still relies on the YSR factor, Sharma points out that YS Jagan’s recent actions suggest that he wants to step out of his father’s shadow.
The 2024 manifesto features YSR’s image behind YS Jagan, with the slogan “Ma nammakam nuvve Jagan” (Our trust is in you, Jagan). The campaign, titled ‘Siddham‘ (ready), prominently promotes lone YS Jagan’s face, underscoring the central theme in the party’s messaging.
“This is shift of presenting himself than along with his father tells YS Jagan wants to step out of the shadow and build his own political base,” notes Sharma. “Also, I don’t remember, after electing to power when was the last time he revoked the theme of ‘Rajanna bidda’,” he added.
YS Jagan himself mentioned in an interview with India Today that he is confident of replacing the 81 MLAs, as he intends to seek votes in his “own name”.
As YS Jagan seeks to establish his own identity separate from his father’s, could Sharmila benefit from emphasising the YSR factor?
Former MLC and political analyst Prof K Nageshwar answers the question stating, “The YSR’s vote bank, or fan base, generally consists of those who see his friend-turned-foe, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, as the rival.”
He added, “When anyone, be it YS Jagan or YS Sharmila, challenges Chandrababu Naidu, their supporters will consider backing them. But in this polarised battle between YSRCP and TDP, who stands to gain from YS Sharmila’s challenge against YS Jagan?”
Nageshwar questioned whether Sharmila’s challenge to Jagan might indirectly benefit TDP chief Naidu. “If the supporters view Naidu as the potential beneficiary from Sharmila’s fight against Jagan, why would they switch their allegiance to her?” he asked.
Sharma agreed with Nageshwar’s views and further predicted that in the upcoming 2024 elections, the regional party that loses could pave the way for the rise of a national party.
He hints that, if it’s the TDP that loses, then NTR’s daughter, Purandeswari, representing BJP, might gain prominence. If it’s YSRCP that loses, the Congress led by Sharmila could gain traction. He noted that this pattern, where a regional party’s loss leads to gain for national parties like BJP and INC, can be observed in the neighbouring Telangana.
Sharma suggested that if Sharmila could establish herself as a credible challenger to TDP or BJP, Congress might see a resurgence in Andhra Pradesh. However, he concluded by saying that, for now, nothing seems to be showing much promise in the name of YSR.
