New Delhi, January 4, 2024 – YS Sharmila, daughter of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, officially joined the Congress today, marking the merger of her YSR Telangana Party with the national party. The announcement took place at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, with party leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi present.
Expressing her joy at the consolidation of political forces, Sharmila stated, “I am very happy to be merging YSR Telangana Party into the Congress party. It gives me immense joy that the YSR Telangana Party is going to be a part of the Indian National Congress from today onwards.”
She further shared, “It was my father’s dream to see Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister of our country, and I am very glad that I am going to be a part in making that happen.”
This strategic move is perceived as an effort to strengthen the Congress party in Telangana and build a united front ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Sharmila had consistently supported the Congress during the recent assembly elections in Telangana, where the party emerged victorious.
In a statement made before the Telangana assembly elections, Sharmila highlighted, “I am extending support to the Congress party because it stands the chance of winning in the Telangana Assembly elections. KCR has not fulfilled any of the promises he made to the people in his 9-year tenure.”
YSR Telangana Party, an unrecognised regional party based in Andhra Pradesh, lacks elected representatives in the state or Parliament. The merger aims to enhance the Congress vote bank in the region.
