A merger that could bring instability

The situation in Telangana continues to be fluid, and it remains to be seen which party, the BJP or Sharmila with Congress, will be able to harness the anti-incumbent sentiment

On July 8, 2021, the birth anniversary of the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, the charismatic chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, his daughter, Sharmila, launched a new party — the YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP). Her brother Jagan Mohan Reddy, 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 made it clear that for the moment, her political work was going to be limited to Telangana. In other words, she was not competing with her brother for turf.

Very likely