Jagan's Sister Y S Sharmila To Launch New Party?

While rumours of the growing differences between Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and his younger sister Y S Sharmila have been doing the rounds for some time now, recent reports suggest that the conflict between the siblings has worsened to such an extent that Sharmila is even preparing to launch her own political party soon.

Reports also suggest that their mother, Vijayamma, has chosen to support her daughter's decision as both mother and daughter reportedly feel that Jagan has been neglecting them after becoming CM.

It is perhaps pertinent to mention here that Sharmila has, in the past, actively supported her brother in his rise to power in AP, and has often even campaigned for the YSR Congress Party.

The news has created a stir in both the Telugu-speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

While former TPCC president Ponnala Lakshmaiah said that it would be jumping the gun to comment on the matter as it was all just speculation yet, veteran Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao said that Sharmila's decision to start a party of her own was proof of the despotic ways of the Andhra CM, who did not allow his family members to "claim the legacy" of his father former CM Y S Rajasekhar Reddy.

"Sharmila is also an equal heir to YSR's legacy. But because of her brother, she has not been able to honour her father's legacy. It is Jagan's actions that have led her to take such a decision. After all, he did not even allow her to contest for the Vizag seat some years back. He has stifled her political growth, too," he added.

TJS founder M Kodandaram also commented on the issue and pointed out that the decision was unlikely to affect the people of Telangana in any major way.

He did however add that the people of Telangana respected and loved the former Andhra Pradesh CM YSR deeply, and that this would enable Sharmila to establish her party easily in the state.

The TJS chief also said that the emergence of regional parties would help the people of both AP and Telangana as such parties would be able to fight for the specific needs of different sections of people in both the states.

The BJP, which has been experiencing a surge in popularity in Telangana, is also reportedly monitoring Sharmila's moves quite closely.