YS Sharmila, daughter of the late Andhra Pradesh CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy and sister of YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, has carved out a rocky but distinctive path in Telugu politics.
From YSRTP to Congress. After splitting from her brother over family and political differences, Sharmila launched the YSR Telangana Party in 2021. When that experiment failed to gain traction, she merged it with the Congress ahead of the 2023 Telangana elections and was appointed Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president in January 2024 — putting her in direct electoral combat with Jagan.
Election setback, but a dent in Jagan’s fortress. She lost her own Lok Sabha bid from Kadapa in 2024, but her relentless campaign against Jagan is widely seen as one factor in YSRCP’s defeat that year — a win she has yet to convert into personal electoral success.
Rajya Sabha hopes dashed, then revived. A push to get her a Rajya Sabha seat via Karnataka fell through when the state’s Congress leadership passed her over — a significant blow. But with a leadership change reportedly brewing in Karnataka Congress, talk of a renewed attempt has resurfaced, reportedly prompting her recent trip to Delhi to meet senior leaders.
A quieter phase. Sharmila has kept a lower public profile lately, fueling speculation about whether this is strategic patience or waning influence within the party.
Next generation watch. Her son, Raja Reddy, has increasingly been the subject of political speculation, with Sharmila reportedly saying his entry into active politics is inevitable — opening a new chapter in the YS family’s political succession story.
The road ahead. Rebuilding a nearly dormant Congress unit in a state dominated by a TDP-Jana Sena-BJP alliance and a still-formidable YSRCP is a steep climb. Whether a Rajya Sabha berth materializes, or she continues building from the APCC chief’s seat, the coming months look decisive for her political trajectory.
