Battle for Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa: Family feud spills on to poll arena

YS Sharmila (R) with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge

A fascinating story is unfolding in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It revolves around a family's internal conflicts and the intense political competition in the Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency. The YS family has significant interests in this constituency, making it a high-stakes battle. However, the family's political feud is just one of their many problems. They are also grappling with personal issues and ongoing disputes. The outcome of this multifaceted battle remains uncertain.

YS Sharmila, the Congress chief in Andhra Pradesh, has recently announced her candidacy in the upcoming elections. However, her opponent is not just any candidate but her own cousin, YS Avinash Reddy, who is contesting under the banner of the YSRCP. This party is led by her brother, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the current Andhra Pradesh chief minister. The political conflict between Sharmila and Avinash Reddy goes beyond just electoral politics. It is deeply intertwined with the unresolved murder of YS Vivekananda Reddy. He was Sharmila's paternal uncle, and his death has cast a long shadow over the family and the state's politics.

Announcing that she is fighting the Lok Sabha election from Kadapa, YS Sharmila said it was not an easy decision as she knows it will split her family. "I am contesting as Kadapa MP candidate. YSR's (YS Rajasekhar Reddy) daughter is contesting. This is not an easy decision for me as I know that it will split my family," she had said. Asserting that she had "no hatred" for her elder brother Jagan, Sharmila claimed he was a changed man after becoming the Chief Minister. In an oblique reference to Avinash Reddy, she alleged that Jagan had awarded the Kadapa MP ticket to individuals implicated in Vivekananda Reddy's murder and that she vehemently opposes this.

The killing of Vivekananda Reddy, brother of late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y Rajsekhar Reddy and the uncle of sitting chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, has become a critical topic in the Kadapa election. Sharmila and Vivekananda Reddy's daughter, Sunitha Narreddy, accuse Jagan Mohan Reddy of protecting the accused, including pointing at Avinash Reddy. This reveals deep family conflicts.

Sharmila's running for office goes beyond politics; it's a strong protest against what she calls "murder politics" – the use of political power to obstruct justice for her uncle's murder. Choosing to run in Kadapa carries deep meaning, reflecting her family's long history with this area.

Kadapa has been a stronghold for the YS family for several decades, with political representation from Jagan Mohan Reddy, his father, YS Rajasekhar Reddy, and Vivekananda Reddy. Sharmila's entry into the political arena, therefore, not only challenges her cousin but also directly confronts her brother, the chief minister, highlighting a significant familial and political divide.

The murder of Vivekananda Reddy and the subsequent allegations against Jagan Mohan Reddy and Avinash Reddy have brought the Kadapa constituency into the national spotlight. This has made the upcoming election a political and moral referendum on the politics of Andhra Pradesh.

Sharmila's political journey, which includes her transition from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh and her association with the Congress, reflects a broader narrative of resilience, conviction, and the pursuit of justice. Her campaign in Kadapa, backed by her mother, YS Vijaya Lakshmi and Sunitha Narreddy, goes beyond electoral politics to address unresolved grievances and seek retribution for personal and political wrongs.

The politics in Andhra Pradesh can be challenging to understand, with changing loyalties and conflicts within influential political families. The election in Kadapa is not just a matter of winning votes. Still, it is also about fairness, justice, and the legacy of a family that has been a significant part of the state's political conversation for many years.

As the people of Kadapa prepare to vote, this election is not just about choosing between candidates. It's also a time to reflect on the political values of the state, the importance of family ties, and the ongoing search for justice in political rivalries. The result of this election will determine not only the political destiny of the YS family members but also set the tone for the future of politics in Andhra Pradesh. Here, personal tragedies and political ambitions are closely intertwined.