YS Sharmila’s decision to abstain from the Telangana Assembly elections and extend her support to the Congress created ripples in political circles. Her primary aim was to prevent the fragmentation of anti-government votes. She expressed a strong interest in contesting from Paleru in Khammam district, a stronghold of the Reddy community.
Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, a close associate of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan, and a prominent contractor in the state, was the Congress candidate in this constituency. It is widely speculated that Jagan utilized his influence to pressurize Sharmila into supporting Ponguleti’s candidacy, possibly through his mother, YS Vijaya Lakshmi.
The dynamics between Jagan and Sharmila are known to be complicated, suggesting that there might have been more to their agreement than meets the eye. In the world of politics, such arrangements often come with promises or concessions. These could range from financial support, lucrative contracts, or even influential appointed positions, whether in the event of the Congress winning in Telangana or in Andhra Pradesh.
Considering Sharmila’s strong political ambitions, it’s unlikely that Jagan would have enticed her with a significant political role in Andhra Pradesh. The intricacies of their agreement remain shrouded in speculation, but it underscores the complex and calculated nature of political alliances and the inevitable quid pro quo in this arena.