The appointment of Y.S. Sharmila as president of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) by the party leadership has added a curious twist to the election fever in the State.
The AICC leadership is clearly aiming at rejuvenating the party in Andhra Pradesh, which needs a charismatic leader with the capacity to pull crowds. Party seniors in Delhi are hopeful that Ms. Sharmila, who is the daughter of former Chief Minister late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, a strong Congress leader with a huge following, will be able to strike a chord with the people of the State.
The Congress leaders claim that at a time when the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) is witnessing defections by leaders who are denied ticket, Ms. Sharmila’s takeover of the Congress reins will attract a good number of YSR supporters like former Mangalagiri MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy and others into the party fold.
