Daughter of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister late Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and sister of incumbent CM Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, Y S Sharmila today said that she would work to bring back Rajanna Rajyam, the era of her father's rule, in Telangana.
Speaking after a meeting with her followers at her Lotus Pond residence, in Hyderabad's Jubilee Hills area, Sharmila said, "My father always worked towards the welfare of the farmers of undivided AP. Under his rule, the poor people of the state too enjoyed a high standard of living - they had pucca houses and access to subsidised healthcare and quality education. I will strive to bring back that age of Rajanna Rajyam again."
At this point, she was quick to clarify that while her brother Jagan was working for the people of AP, she wanted prioritise the needs of the people of Telangana.
Sharmila also said that she had already begun to interact with her father's supporters in the state on the matter.
"I have already spoken to the supporters of my father in Nalgonda district, and will soon also speak to his supporters in the other districts of the state. Through these meetings, I wish to acquaint myself with the ground realities of Telangana," she said.
With this announcement today, the leader has confirmed what had
started out as only a speculation - that she would be launching herself into active politics in the days to come, and would, in all likelihood, be launching a party of her own.
It also perhaps indicates that whispers about the fallout between YSR's two children is very much a reality.
While the announcement elicited a rather mixed set of responses from the political leaders of both the Telugu-speaking states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the crowd of supporters thronging the street outside Sharmila's residence seemed to be delirious on hearing the news. They cheered for her, burst fire crackers, and showered her with confetti on the occasion.