Why Andhra Congress chief Sharmila calling brother ‘Jagan Reddy’ has left YSRCP fuming

Jagan-owned Sakshi reported her speech referring to her as just Sharmila, devoid of the prestigious and influential initials, YS.

Sharmila’s first-ever salvo against Jagan was more than a reflection of sibling rivalry: It was also the beginning of a battle to claim the legacy of their illustrious father, former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, or YSR.

The YSRCP retorted to the “Jagan Reddy” innuendo by addressing Sharmila using the surname of her husband Anil Kumar — Morusupalli — in an apparent bid to deny her any chance of claiming the YS legacy.

Also Read: YSRCP, BJP, TDP or Congress – YSR or NTR families are Andhra’s only choices

Fight for YSR legacy 

A beaming Sharmila began her speech slow, punctuated with pauses, as if following a prepared text, even as the audience sat with rapt attention. She invoked Rajasekhara Reddy in good measures, evoking loud slogans from the audience.

The smile disappeared as she went extempore and raged about Andhra Pradesh politics, beginning with the special status for the state. Her voice rose as she asked the cadre about the development the state had witnessed over the past 10 years. The audience replied with a loud ‘No’. She compared Jagan Reddy’s rule with that of Rajasekhara gaaru.

“When the state was formed, the debt was ₹1 lakh crore. During the TDP tenure, it reached ₹5 lakh crore, and during the YSRCP tenure, ‘Jagan Reddy’ accumulated more than ₹5 lakh crore in debt,” she pointed at the state of financial affairs.

The name, “Jagan Reddy”, is often used by TDP and Jana Sena, referring to YS Jagan’s caste and criticising his policies.

The audience kept cheering throughout her speech, as she further criticised Jagan’s development and industrial policies, besides tearing into the TDP and the BJP, especially the latter’s attitude towards Christians. The Manipur violence, too, was touched upon.

However, all these did not anger the YSRCP, but the repeated use of “Jagan Reddy” did. YSRCP sources said it was embarrassing.

The YSRCP was quick to respond as if to contain the damage. YSRCP general secretary Sajjala Rama Krishna Reddy accused Sharmila of speaking the language of the TDP. He added that she should explain to the public why there was a change in her stance upon entering Andhra Pradesh. He added that she came to Andhra Pradesh only to attack YS Jagan and acted as a tool in the hands of the TDP.

YSRCP social media platforms and party affiliates published content with her husband’s surname, “Morusupalli Sharmila”. YSRCP sources told South First that the party would continue to belittle Sharmila, diminishing her chances to claim the YSR legacy.

Also Read: As YS Sharmila joins the Congress, read about the YSR family’s fallout with the party

What’s in a name? It’s just politics

When Sharmila launched a padayatra in October 2012 after the CBI arrested her brother Jagan, she coined a slogan to describe herself: “YS Sharmila is an arrow released by her brother — YS Jagan.”

Sharmila initially floated her party — the YSRTP — in Telangana in 2021, asserting that she would contest all Assembly segments. However, she later extended her support to Congress and eventually merged the party on 4 January, 2024.

Although she parted ways with Jagan after he assumed power in Andhra Pradesh 2019, the slogan remained relevant, as the Congress doubted that she might be part of a grand plan of Jagan.

Ganesh Babu Kudithipudi, a senior Congress worker, said Sharmila’s speech was entirely directed towards the cadre to ignite their feelings. “There is nothing personal. The name ‘Jagan Reddy’ is commonly used in the state. Also, to appeal to the disgruntled YSRCP leaders, she made it clear through her speech that she is rebelling against her brother, and there is no family connection between them,” he told South First.

However, Prof DAR Subrahmanyam, the chairman of Navyandhra Intellectual Forum, differed. He felt Sharmila didn’t have to address YS Jagan Mohan Reddy that way. He observed that senior leaders on the stage looked surprised. This approach may cast YS Sharmila in a negative light, and Jagan would win sympathy, especially if he did not address her in the same manner.

“Several admirers and neutral sections may not be impressed by going personal. However, on issue-based matters, as of now, no one is taking on the BJP,” he told South First.

However, in her speech that lasted 21 minutes and two seconds, Sharmila announced her return to the Andhra political landscape.

She concluded the speech by asking the party workers whether they were ready to take on the current dispensation. Neevu readiya?, she repeatedly asked.

The audience responded with a resounding “Yes”. The arrow has left the bow, and the Congress has begun its campaign for the coming polls.