Another party: But does it even matter?

Aditi Phadnis analyses whether the launch of yet another party by Sharmila, the daughter of undivided AP, the late YS Rajashekhar Reddy, will make a difference to the complex politics of Telangana

On July 8, the birth anniversary of the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy , the charismatic chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, his daughter Sharmila launched a party — the YSR Telangana party (YSRTP). Her brother Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is chief minister of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, was not present at the launch, signalling his disapproval of his sister’s initiative. Their mother was by her daughter’s side. In interviews, Sharmila has made it clear that for the moment, her political work is going to be limited to Telangana. In other words, she is not competing with her brother for turf.

But