The YSR Telangana Party floated by Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sister Y S Sharmila, has virtually out of the race in the Telangana assembly elections, if reports emanating from the party sources are to be believed.
Apparently, Sharmila could not find any suitable candidates to contest the elections and she has realised that if her party contests the elections just for the sake of it, it might end up a big disaster.
Instead, she is understood to have decided to enter the fray alone and contest the elections from Palair assembly constituency in Khammam district, which she has been nurturing right from the beginning.
Sharmila reportedly told her party colleagues that instead of wasting energies in all the constituencies, it is better to focus entirely on Palair, so that she can win the seat.
“If she wins the seat, it will at least help the party retain its identity, so that she can build up the party in the long run,” a party source said.
According to this source, Sharmila feels that she stands a better chance in Palair, as there is a largescale following for her father Y S Rajasekhar Reddy in the constituency. She can exploit the sympathy factor and also play the woman card to win the seat.
YSRTP spokesperson Pitta Ram Reddy said Congress candidate from Palair and former MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy had gained political significance only due to YSR.
“Now, he is making objectionable remarks against Sharmila,” he criticised.
