New Chevella Chellamma: YS Sharmila to float new party in Telangana

"I want to bring back Rajanna Rajyam," indicating YS Rajasekhar Reddy's rule in undivided Andhra Pradesh which primarily focused on welfare schemes, especially weaker sections housing scheme, Arogya Sri, free power, etc.

Sharmila, who got a rousing reception, asserted her elder brother and A P Chief Minister will bless her political foray.

Sharmila's entry into Telangana political horizon, if she decides to launch a new political party sooner or later, gives a new dimension into Telangana politics. It doesn't indicate a spur of the moment decision or power struggle in YSRCP, but a bigger calculated political game plan!

However, YSRCP distanced itself from Sharmila's political entry into Telangana State where ruling TRS is fighting to regain political control of the state against BJP onslaught.

Firstly, she held "consultations" with like-minded political activists at her house in Lotus Pond, attached to Jagan Mohan Reddy's house. It will be foolhardy to believe Jagan Mohan Reddy is unaware of it.

Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, senior YSRCP leader, and Advisor to AP Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, at a hurriedly called press conference admitted that Sharmila had indicated testing political waters in Telangana State, but this was discouraged by brother and Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan ReddYSince it would "strain relationship with neighboring Telangana government headed by K Chandrasekhar Rao and cause more harm than good to him."

He repeatedly claimed that there is no power struggle or rivalry between brother and sister but only a "difference of opinions."

However, he wished her good luck!

Sharmila plans to launch padayatra from Chevella, the lucky mascot of YSR, after consultations with YSR well-wishers from Nalgonda, Ranga Reddy, Khammam, and other districts. She gave enough indications of launching a new political party in Telangana!

It's a known fact that KCR and Jagan Mohan Reddy have hit off well and there is a cordial relationship between them, barring minor skirmishes on water sharing and construction of new projects in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Though it's quite hazy whether a new political party will be launched in Telangana State, Sharmila's entry into Telangana politics threw up various theories. Who is behind her entry and who will benefit?

One theory is she has been propped up by KCR himself to wean away Reddys and other communities who had supported YSR, from BJP and split votes since Congress, once dominated by this community, is considerably weakened and the Reddy community was looking towards BJP.

KCR is feeling the strong cadre-based BJP heat and his recent about-turn on Farm bills after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi says it all. Aggressive BJP is making inroads into KCR fiefdom. Dubbaka defeat, GHMC drubbing is the indication. By-polls in Nagarjunasagar is on the cards.

Some feel that it will do well for KCR since he can whip up Telangana sentiment again citing attempts by Andhra leaders to take control of Telangana again by hook or crook.

It will also checkmate Congress, once dominated by Reddy leadership, if it tries to rise again in Telangana.

The second theory is that she has been propped up by BJP to split minorities votes etc. since there is an indication that she plans to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It has given rise to a suspicion that she will back BJP one day. But these are many ifs and buts and one has to wait and see how the picture unfolds.

But going by her confidence and assertions, barring some last-minute change of heart, Sharmila is set to launch a political party with a tag line "Chevella Chellamma!"