Trouble seems to be brewing within the already weakened Congress party in Andhra Pradesh, as senior leaders have begun revolting against party president Y S Sharmila, accusing her of failing to provide direction to the party in the state.
On Monday, tensions flared in Kadapa when followers of Sharmila clashed with AICC member Sunkara Padmasri over her alleged attempts to organize a meeting against Sharmila.
Padmasri reportedly held discussions with dissident leaders without the approval of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) or the District Congress Committee (DCC), sparking outrage among party members.
This led to heated arguments and physical scuffles between Padmasri’s supporters and other Congress workers. Protesters chanted slogans like “Go back Sunkara Padmasri.”
At a meeting in Kadapa on Sunday, Padmasri alleged that Sharmila's padayatra (foot march) only served to promote her brother and help him become Chief Minister, rather than benefiting the Congress party. She claimed that Sharmila had done more harm than good to the party.
During Monday’s gathering, a large number of Congress leaders aligned with Sharmila disrupted the event and demanded that Padmasri apologize.
The situation quickly escalated into a high-voltage verbal spat and physical confrontation, which was eventually brought under control by the police.
This revolt against Sharmila isn’t new. It began months after she took over as PCC chief.
At a meeting in Visakhapatnam last year, Padmasri and senior leader Killi Kruparani openly expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that “a person like Sharmila cannot lead the party.” Sharmila, however, remains hopeful that the party’s vote share can be revived in future elections.
Adding to the crisis, Congress leader Afzal Khan recently quit the party, claiming his departure had intensified dissatisfaction among the Muslim community and benefitted the YSR Congress Party. Former APCC president Dr Sake Shailajanath also distanced himself from Sharmila and resigned from the party.
Sharmila’s solitary style of leadership and inability to coordinate with senior leaders has raised serious concerns about the party’s future in Andhra Pradesh.
Party insiders believe that unless her leadership approach changes, a revival of the Congress in the state appears highly unlikely.
Earlier this year, the disciplinary committee of the APCC issued show-cause notices to former working presidents Sunkara Padmasri and P Rakesh Reddy for indulging in anti-party activities.
