The Congress party is reportedly considering appointing YS Sharmila as the president of the Andhra Pradesh PCC, aiming to rejuvenate its prospects ahead of next year’s Lok Sabha and AP Assembly elections. Given the party’s diminished presence in Andhra Pradesh post the state bifurcation, leveraging the legacy and charisma associated with YS Rajasekhar Reddy seems to be the strategic move. YS Sharmila, currently leading the YSRTP, is poised to take on a more significant role within the Congress framework.
Key Congress figures, including AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, are set to convene with AP Congress leaders in Delhi to deliberate on this potential leadership change. Notable figures like former minister Raghuveera Reddy, APPC chief Gidugu Rudraraju, and others have been invited to this pivotal meeting. Discussions are expected to encompass not only Sharmila’s potential appointment but also the potential merger of YSRTP with the Congress party.
While Sharmila’s ascension to the PCC post seems increasingly likely, given her familial ties and past interactions with Congress leaders, formalities remain. Although she previously considered merging YSRTP with Congress, plans were shelved due to strategic decisions around assembly elections. Now, with the upcoming assembly elections and the need to consolidate power in AP, Sharmila’s potential leadership role signifies a significant recalibration within the Congress party’s Andhra Pradesh strategy. With speculations rife about an official announcement by January 1st, the political landscape in Andhra Pradesh appears poised for a transformative shift.