Rayalaseema is backbone for chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s political career and he succeeded in practically washing away TDP from erstwhile four districts in 2019 polls. TDP could win only three seats, of which two are Chandrababu Naidu and his brother-in-law Bala Krishna.
But, now Jaganmohan Reddy is facing a severe challenge from his own sisters from his native Kadapa district. He practically turned in defense on their questions related to the brutal murder of his uncle YS Vivekananda Reddy.
In 2019, in the run-up to elections, on 15 March, the 68-year-old Vivekananda Reddy, was found dead in his house in Pulivendula. With just one month remaining for the elections on 11 April, the high-profile death case made much noise. As leader of opposition YS Jagan succeeded in spreading the ‘blame game’ making the then chief minister Chandrababu Naidu responsible for it.
However, after five years the story narration completely changed. His own sister YS Sharmila, who is now APCC President and cousin sister Dr N Suneetha Reddy, daughter of his slain uncle, YS Vivekananda Reddy, questioning him `Who Killed Viveka?”.
As the CBI clearly named, Jagan’s cousin brother and Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy and his father YS Bhaskar Reddy are accused in the case, both sisters questioning why the chief minister is giving shelter to the accused? Moreover, they are objecting again fielding him as YSRCP candidate from Kadapa Lok Sabha seat.
Initiating a campaign for justice in Viveka’s murder case, both the sisters are going around Kadapa district, accusing the chief minister. Jagan now pushed into defence after Sharmila announced that she is contesting from Kadapa Lok Sabha, against her cousin brother, Avinash Reddy.
Both the sisters appealed people not to vote `accused in a murder case’ and put an end to Jagan’s `politics of murder’. However, the question that often arises is ‘why’ Jagan is backing Avinash Reddy despite the considerable embarrassment that comes with his sibling’s revolt in his home turf.
The revolt by the sisters not only puts YS Jagan in a difficult position in Kadapa but also among his cadre across the state, as Sharmila campaigned for them before 2019 and is more significantly known as the daughter of late CM YSR.
This makes the fight not merely about defeating Avinash or fighting for the legacy of the late CM YSR, but more about the public’s trust and whom they choose to believe.