The political landscape in Andhra Pradesh is becoming increasingly heated as the state coalition government reaches the six-month mark in power. The focus of the ruling coalition has largely shifted toward the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), with Congress PCC Chief Sharmila facing criticism for directing more of her attention toward targeting Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy than the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This shift has sparked concerns among some Congress leaders in Delhi, who have raised issues about Sharmila’s lack of coordination with party members, resulting in fresh debates within the Congress party.
Sharmila, who was appointed as PCC Chief after navigating internal party disputes, has been an active force in state politics. However, her approach has been met with mixed reactions, with many party members believing that her focus is primarily on challenging Jagan and the YSRCP. Her tendency to bring up personal issues in political conversations has also generated discomfort within the party ranks. While Congress fights against the NDA at the national level, her local focus on Jagan has led to dissatisfaction among some Congress leaders, who feel that her strategy isn’t benefiting the party.
When Sharmila first took the helm, she had strong backing from senior party figures. However, as time has passed, many of those leaders have distanced themselves from her leadership, and only a few continue to show support. Discontent with Sharmila’s leadership style has led some senior Congress members to report their concerns to the party’s high command. The fact that Sharmila has concentrated on attacking the YSRCP via social media, rather than focusing on the NDA, has raised questions about whether personal interests are influencing her actions. These concerns have already been escalated to the party’s central leadership.
Complaints are also mounting that Sharmila’s political initiatives are not receiving adequate attention from party workers. Many believe that her decisions are not being communicated effectively, leaving party members out of important discussions. Recently, AP Congress Working President Sunkara Padmashri expressed his frustration with Sharmila, warning that if the party remains divided, it will only face more difficulties ahead. While other coalition parties are focused on expanding their influence, YSRCP is still grappling with internal challenges following its recent electoral setback.
This period is seen as a crucial opportunity for Congress to strengthen its position in the state, but some feel Sharmila’s priorities are not aligned with the party’s growth objectives. As the situation unfolds, the spotlight will be on how the party leadership guides Sharmila to navigate these challenges in the coming months.