The relentless criticism from YS Sharmila toward her brother, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, presents a formidable challenge for loyalists within the YS family. The escalating verbal feud between the siblings reached a crescendo when Jagan alleged that Sharmila wore a yellow saree and bowed before N. Chandrababu Naidu, prompting Sharmila to swiftly counter accusations against Jagan regarding YSR’s inclusion in an illegal assets case.
As tensions escalated, CM Jagan Mohan Reddy participated in an interview with senior journalist Ravindra Ojha representing The Interview World, where he vehemently rebuked Sharmila. His remarks during the interview underscored the depth of the familial rift and the intensity of the political divide.
Q: How do you respond to allegations of familial discord, particularly your younger sister YS Sharmila’s aggressive stance against you?
A: It’s glaringly apparent that Revanth Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu are the puppeteers behind Sharmila’s recent actions. Congress seems to be dancing to Chandrababu’s tune, much like the BJP. Chandrababu Naidu is spearheading a calculated campaign against Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Underhanded tactics are at play, with the TDP president shamelessly manipulating my sister, YS Sharmila, to enter the state elections. Revanth, under Chandrababu’s remote control, is actively collaborating with my sister in this dubious endeavour.
The ramifications of this manipulation are far-reaching, straining my familial ties with Sharmila due to the undue influence of the TDP.
Q: What factors influenced your decision to restrict Sharmila from pursuing a career in politics?
A: I disfavour the practice of family-dominated governance. How many individuals within a family will pursue political roles? Despite my earnest appeals to my sister to pursue any profession besides politics, she succumbed to the manipulations of adversaries who capitalized on internal familial tensions. Both the Congress and Chandrababu Naidu deliberately fuelled discord between my sister and me.
Q: How does it feel to compete against your sister?
A: As the elder sibling, I find myself in a challenging position. Naturally, Sharmila is my sister, and her absence is deeply felt. Undoubtedly, my longing for her is profound. Despite her departure into the realm of power politics, my sentiments towards her remain strong. How could they not? My distress stems not from her decision to contest on a Congress ticket, but from the inevitable outcome of her losing her deposit. Witnessing her face such a setback pains me immensely.
Q: What factors have influenced your divergent political stance from that of your father, YS Rajshekhar Reddy, a prominent figure in the Congress party?
A: Indeed, my father was an exceptional leader, a true people’s champion whose charisma was unparalleled. Upon learning of his passing, the outpouring of grief was immense; tragically, around 660 individuals even resorted to taking their own lives.
When I sought approval from Sonia Gandhi for the Odarpu Yatra—a journey of solace to the families affected by these tragedies—I aimed to reassure them that my father’s legacy lives on in our hearts and actions. Despite our efforts to convey the noble intentions behind this journey, our plea was met with refusal.
Undeterred, I, accompanied by my sister and mother, made the journey to Delhi to personally explain the importance of the Odarpu Yatra. Following a meeting at 10 Janpath, however, we left disheartened, as our request was not granted. Despite the lack of a clear explanation, it was evident that the high command was not inclined to support the resumption of the yatra.
Faced with this opposition, I resolved to carry out the Odarpu Yatra independently, determined to honour the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for my father. Despite repeated attempts by the Congress high command to dissuade me, I remained steadfast.
The turning point came when my uncle, YS Vivekananda Reddy, engaged with Sonia Gandhi in an attempt to sway my decision. In response, on November 29, 2010, I penned an emotional letter announcing my resignation, feeling betrayed by the very party my father had served.
The relentless political manoeuvring and betrayal by Congress, including attempts to sow discord within my family, were deeply distressing. Their actions, akin to those of a butcher, tarnished not only my reputation but also that of my family.
The numerous legal cases and investigations initiated against me, ranging from criminal conspiracy to corruption, stand as a testament to the lengths to which they went to discredit me. Such actions are unforgivable, and I cannot overlook the injustices perpetrated by the Congress party.
Q: How do you perceive Rahul Gandhi’s statement, “Nafrat ke bazar me mohabbat ki dukan kholane aayae hain,” which translates into ‘We have come to open a shop of love in the marketplace of hatred’?
A: Fraudulence pervades every aspect of the Gandhis’ political modus operandi. They exhibit a self-serving demeanour, detached from the genuine welfare of the public and devoid of ideological integrity. Their actions, particularly concerning Andhra Pradesh, serve as a glaring testament to this self-interest. The historical partition of Andhra Pradesh stands as a stark parallel to the familial divisions instigated by the Gandhis within their ranks. Whenever dissent emerges, the Congress adeptly manoeuvres family members against each other, perpetuating a divisive strategy reminiscent of colonial “divide and rule” tactics.
The Congress’s penchant for fracturing familial ties for political expediency is evident, yet they fail to recognize the inexorable force of consequence. The current predicament besetting the Congress suggests a reckoning for their past actions. The trajectory appears bleak, with divine intervention possibly the only arbiter of their fate. The cyclical nature of their actions indicates a potential escalation of their downfall, as they sow seeds of discord and reap the whirlwind of internal strife.
Q: How can we identify the principal opposition in the upcoming election?
A: In Andhra Pradesh, the BJP and Congress hold negligible sway, leaving the political arena dominated by the YSRC and the TDP-JSP coalition. This landscape emphasizes a stark divide, where power dynamics revolve around these major players. Allied factions and sympathetic parties further solidified this polarization, setting the stage for a fiercely contested political battleground in the state.
Q: What are your thoughts on the leadership styles and policies of Prime Minister Modi and Rahul Gandhi?
A: My support is predicated on issues rather than individuals. While I align with Modi’s vision of ‘one nation one election,’ I hold divergent views on minority rights. Historically, I’ve found common ground with Rahul Gandhi, notwithstanding past conflicts that led to my incarceration by his party. Thus, my assessment of Rahul cannot lay claim to impartiality. Ultimately, public sentiment will determine his electoral success. However, given the prevailing political landscape, Rahul confronts formidable obstacles. His journey towards electoral victory is fraught with complexities and challenges, necessitating adept navigation of a diverse array of political dynamics and public perceptions.
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