The Congress party has initiated its game plan in the Telugu states, focusing on the general elections that are still 10 months away. The party is once again utilizing the popularity of the YSR family to strengthen its position in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Following the Karnataka elections, the Congress has been making swift moves in the Telugu states with the aim of coming to power in Telangana and regaining its lost vote bank in Andhra Pradesh. The meetings between Sharmila and DK Shivakumar, as well as Sharmila’s birthday wishes to Rahul Gandhi, indicate the Congress party’s rapid political movements in the Telugu states.
The merger of YS Sharmila’s outfit, YSRTP, with the Congress party is expected to be a formality. Congress leader KC Venugopal reportedly made a phone call to Anil Kumar, who is also Sharmila’s husband, regarding this matter.
It is likely that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will visit Idupulapaaya in Kadapa district on July 8th to pay tributes to the late YSR. Before that, Sonia Gandhi is expected to have a phone conversation with Sharmila and Vijayamma.
Late YSR had expressed his desire to see Rahul Gandhi become the Prime Minister of the country before he passed away. All these recent developments indicate that the Congress party is strategically targeting YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh. After YSR’s death, Vijayamma made serious allegations against Sonia Gandhi, suggesting suspicions that Sonia may have played a role in her husband’s demise.
Currently, neither Vijayamma nor Sharmila are actively involved in politics in Andhra Pradesh. Recognizing their situation, the Congress leadership is capitalizing on it to gain strength in the Telugu states. All these developments are something that the ruling YSRCP cannot swallow.
