YSRTP President Y.S. Sharmila seems poised to merge her party with the Congress, with the move likely to take place by the end of this month. During a recent visit to New Delhi, Sharmila engaged in discussions with Congress high command members, specifically AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, reaching an agreement on the merger.
Initially, the Congress high command proposed that Sharmila lead the party in Andhra Pradesh, but she insisted on focusing solely on Telangana. The high command eventually conceded to her demand. Telangana PCC Chief A. Revanth Reddy was informed that Sharmila would stay in Telangana and contest the upcoming assembly elections from the state.
Sources reveal that Sharmila offered to merge her party in exchange for assembly election tickets for herself and her supporters, requesting at least eight tickets. Her preferred constituency for contesting is Palair in Khammam district, historically a Congress stronghold.
However, Congress leader Venugopal suggested granting three tickets instead. Negotiations continue, and a compromise could lead to a prompt merger. In a meeting with her followers, Sharmila assured them of her commitment to her father’s ideals and promised to protect their interests regardless of her decision.