Surprising as it might sound, Y S Sharmila, daughter of former chief minister of combined Andhra Pradesh Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, is claiming that she was never associated with the YSR Congress party launched by her brother Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
In an interview to a national website, Sharmila said she had never been a member of the YSRC.
“I was only a star campaigner of the party,” Sharmila said, in response to a question as to whether she had resigned from the YSRC before starting a new political party in Telangana.
Sharmila indirectly admitted that there were differences between her and her brother.
“There would be issues in every family. But they are purely private matters which the media and the people should not discuss,” she said.
Asked why she remained in political oblivion for nearly seven years after playing a key role in sustaining the YSRC during the period of crisis, Sharmila crisply replied: “Insecurity is common in politics,” indicating that her presence in the YSRC might have caused insecurity to Jagan.
Sharmila also took a dig, albeit indirectly, at the Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh. While attacking the Telangana Rashtra Samithi government for ignoring development in the state, she said there was no development even in Andhra Pradesh.
“Development is not taking place in Andhra Pradesh too. But I wish it will happen,” she said, but was quick to add that Jagan was doing a better job than Chandrababu Naidu and people were getting a better deal.
She said her party would maintain friendly relations with the YSRC in Andhra. But she said she was surprised when the YSRC leaders tried to distance themselves from her political party launch.
“I believe people and I look for friendly terms,” she said.
