The Congress high command is contemplating sacking Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Y S Sharmila from her post in the wake of criticism against her style of functioning, according to sources.
Sources said the Congress high command is of the view that despite being appointed as the APCC chief with much expectation, Sharmila has failed to deliver goods during the elections or after that.
Delhi Congress leaders feel she has not effectively fought against the NDA government in the state. At the same time, several complaints against Sharmila have reached the party high command.
There is widespread speculation that the party is considering replacing her with another woman leader.
Sharmila was appointed PCC Chief in January 2024, after parting ways with her brother Jagan and launching her own party in Telangana in 2021.
Though initially considered for a Rajya Sabha seat, she was instead assigned the AP Congress leadership. In the 2024 elections, she contested from Kadapa but lost.
Despite Congress fighting the BJP-led NDA at the national level, complaints to the high command claim that in Andhra Pradesh, Sharmila has focused more on targeting her brother politically than building the party or confronting the ruling coalition.
Several leaders from Vijayawada recently submitted direct complaints to Rahul Gandhi’s office, expressing dissatisfaction with her leadership.
Critics argue that Sharmila has failed to coordinate with senior Congress leaders in the state. Apart from social media campaigns and challenges, they say she has not followed a systematic or constructive political strategy.
Her lack of aggressive stance against the ruling alliance has further weakened the party, according to insiders. Senior leaders have reportedly expressed discontent with her approach.
In this context, the party is believed to have decided to appoint a BC woman leader from north Andhra as the next PCC cresident. Notably, the BJP has also entrusted leadership to a BC leader from the same region.
Sources said the name of former Union minister Dr Killi Kruparani is being talked about in the party circles. She recently met with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi.
Dr. Kruparani, hailing from Srikakulam district and with a background in medicine, was elected as MP in 2009 and served as Union Minister of State.
Although she joined the YSRCP before 2019, she later returned to Congress after not receiving key opportunities there.
Now, she is reportedly set to become the new PCC chief. Meanwhile, Sharmila is expected to be offered a national-level role as AICC general secretary.
