Two days ahead of Andhra Pradesh's crucial state Assembly and Lok Sabha elections on May 13, YS Vijayamma, widow of the late AP Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, has made a fervent plea to voters in Kadapa. She has urged them to throw their support behind her daughter, YS Sharmila, who is contesting as the Congress MP candidate in Kadapa against her cousin and incumbent YSRCP MP Avinash Reddy.
Addressing the people of Kadapa, Vijayamma invoked the legacy of her husband, YSR, and appealed to their sentiment of love and respect for him. She emphasized the importance of electing Sharmila, highlighting her ability to represent the interests of the constituency and serve as a dedicated Parliamentarian.
Vijayamma's endorsement of Sharmila comes as no surprise, as she had previously supported her daughter's political endeavors, including the founding of the YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) in 2021. Standing firmly behind her daughter's aspirations, Vijayamma reiterated her commitment to supporting Sharmila's political journey, paralleling her support for her son, CM Jagan, in his political career.
Sharmila's campaign has been centered around seeking justice for the murder of former Kadapa MP YS Vivekananda Reddy, with Avinash Reddy, an accused in the case, being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The electoral landscape in Kadapa has been further complicated by the split within the Reddy clan, with Sharmila gaining support from Vijayamma and Vivekananda’s daughter, Narreddy Sunitha Reddy, while Avinash and his father Bhaskar Reddy continue to rally behind CM Jagan.
As Kadapa emerges as a focal point in the electoral narrative, the backing of YS Vijayamma adds a significant dimension to Sharmila's campaign, intensifying the competition in this critical Lok Sabha constituency.