Telangana Congress Divided Over Merger Talks With Sharmila-led YSRTP

The Telangana Congress is divided over the issue of merging the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Telangana Party (YSRTP), led by Sharmila, with the grand old party.

Some senior leaders believe that if Sharmila's inclusion in Congress can enhance the party's electoral prospects, there should be no objection. However, the camp led by Telangana Congress President A Revanth Reddy is opposed to any electoral understanding between YSRTP and Congress.

According to reports, YS Sharmila, the daughter of the late AP CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy and the sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, is in advanced talks to merge YSRTP with the Congress, limited to the state of Andhra Pradesh.

With the Congress party's recent electoral victory in Karnataka, it is reportedly seeking to strengthen its presence in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, as both states are approaching assembly elections.

As part of this strategy, Congress wants Sharmila to primarily focus on Andhra Pradesh, her late father's home ground and former united Andhra Pradesh CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy's legacy. The party has reportedly offered her a crucial leadership role in Andhra Pradesh to strengthen both her party and Congress, building on the YSR legacy.

However, Sharmila is hesitant about the merger as it could further strain her relationship with her brother. The siblings have been estranged since she decided to form her own political party and enter the political arena in Telangana.

The talks of merging with Congress have emerged after Sharmila's meeting with Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar last month, following the Congress party's victory in Karnataka.

Previously, Sharmila denied speculations of merging her party with Congress, stating her commitment to further developing YSRTP, which she has diligently built.

Reports suggest that the official announcement of the merger is expected to be made next month in Kadapa, in the presence of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.