With Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Y S Sharmila entering the fray for the Lok Sabha elections from Kadapa parliamentary constituency to take on her cousin Y S Avinash Reddy, sitting YSR Congress party MP, the battle is now interestingly poised.
Though it is a fight between Sharmila and her cousin, it is being viewed as a bitter battle between her and her brother, chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. So, the sibling rivalry has virtually divided the YSR followers.
Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu is planning to take advantage of the situation and cash in on the brother-sister rivalry in Kadapa.
Though Jagan has been alleging that Sharmila had the backing of Naidu indirectly, the ground reality seems to be different.
Fow now, Naidu announced the candidature of Chadipiralla Bhupesh Reddy, a local TDP leader, from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency, but compared to Sharmila and Avinash, he is a light weight candidate.
Maybe, Naidu initially thought Shamila might not be keen on contesting the Lok Sabha polls and with the negative talk against Avinash in connection with the Vivekananda Reddy murder case, the TDP candidate could have an edge.
But with Sharmila entering the fray, the TDP chief thought Bhupesh Reddy has a little chance.
So, he is said to be contemplating shifting C Adinanarayana Reddy from Jammalamadugu assembly constituency to Kadapa Lok Sabha seat and sending Bhupesh Reddy to Jammalamadugu assembly seat.
Apparently, Naidu is of the view that Adinarayana Reddy can give a tough fight in Kadapa and might even capitalise on the sibling rivalry there. If the pro-YSR votes are split, it might benefit Adinarayana Reddy.
All said and done, the TDP also has a considerable vote bank in Kadapa and it might take advantage of the split in the pro-YSR votes and there are chances of winning the seat.
It remains to be seen how far his plans will succeed.
