Rajanna Rajyam ravali: Y S Sharmila returns to politics, hints at new party in Telangana

Hyderabad: Y.S Sharmila, the daughter of late Y.S Raja Shekar Reddy and the sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy, has decided to step into Telangana politics. The young politician has hinted at forming a new party. It is pertinent to note the timing as this comes ahead of the crucial Nagarjuna Sagar elections.

"Rajanna's Rajyam is missing in Telangana. During my father's regime, every farmer lived like a king. A poor voter was confident of owning a house and every student could afford education and Arogysree saved lives. This is no longer so in the state. I am here to bring back Rajanna Rajyam," Ms. Sharmila said making a surprise return to politics.

The usually quiet residence of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister was once again buzzing on Tuesday. The house, littered with banners and posters of Sharmila, is set to witness another political drama. It is to be noted that not a single poster of Jagan was to be seen and if source are right, officials from the AP Intelligence wing were also present at the site.

Sharmila met senior party leaders from Telangana and her father's close confidant from Nalgonda, Srinivas Rao, was the first to enter the camp as others followed. "People of Telangana are unhappy and there is a need for Rajanna's schemes. Today I have heard the people from Nalgonda. I will soon visit other mandal and soon a decision will be made on how to execute the strategies," she said.

When asked if Chief Minister Jagan supported her decision, Sharmila said, "He (Jagan) is my elder brother. I am sure I have his blessings." Meanwhile, YSRCP senior leader Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy in response to Sharmila's new move said, "She is on her own, her thoughts on emerging as a leader are different".

The Assembly seat of Nagarjuna Sagar fell vacant following the sudden demise of Nomula Narsimhaiah. Since then the constituency, a stronghold of the TRS and the Congress, has become a crucial battleground for Telangana parties. Word is that the BJP, which won 48 seats in the municipal elections, is likely to field actress-turned-politician Vijaya Shanti while the Congress has plans to name senior politician Jana Reddy.

Rumours of a new party in Telangana

During the recent political meeting, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandra Shekar Rao had dropped many hints about a new political party taking shape in the state. Establishing a party is no joke, it is not similar to setting up a pan dabba, he had said, adding that many senior leaders had tried but failed.

Days before the TRS founder's address, a regional newspaper had published a story claiming Sharmila was launching a party in Telangana. While many brushed it away as speculation, the meeting on Tuesday has added fuel to the claim.

Meanwhile, KCR will be addressing a public meeting at Halia in Nalgonda district on 10 February.