In what is seen as an indication of the entry of another member of Y.S. family in Andhra Pradesh politics, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y.S. Sharmila’s son Raja Reddy made his first public appearance alongside his mother, in Kurnool on Monday (September 8, 2025.)
Before accompanying his mother, during her visit to Kurnool, Mr. Raja Reddy took the blessing from Y.S. Vijayamma, widow of former CM Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and mother of Sharmila at their residence in Hyderabad. Mr. Raja Reddy is the nephew of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and his much talked entry into politics gains significance as the brother-sister duo are embroiled in a serious family and political fight.
“Mr. Raja Reddy is touted as the next generation male political heir of late Rajasekhara Reddy as there is no male child in Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s family to carry forward the political legacy,” family insiders said.
The 26-year-old completed his M.S in the United States of America and was married last year. “As there is four more years for the next elections, Mr. Raja Reddy would be gaining some political experience by touring along with his mother and will be playing a key role in the next elections,” the party sources said.
Asked if senior party leaders would welcome the move, sources claimed that Mr. Raja Reddy’s entry was proposed by a section of leaders after which the decision was taken. Mr Raja Reddy is also an evangelist.
Ms. Sharmila took active part in politics after the arrest of her brother by the CBI in cases related to allegations of amassing huge assets through illegal means using his father Rajasekhara Reddy’s office. However, she fell apart with her brother following differences and floated YSR Telangana Party in Telangana but failed to make a mark. She merged her party into the Congress and was appointed as the APCC chief before the 2024 elections.
Ms. Sharmila launched a scathing attack on her brother and the relationship between the two further nosedived with the Congress chief raking up the murder of her uncle and former Minister Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy. Ms. Sharmila contested for Kadapa MP seat unsuccessfully and the party failed to open an account in the State.
Amid this, Mr. Raja Reddy made a sudden public appearance on Monday (September 8, 2025) touring the market yard at Kurnool where Ms. Sharmila interacted with the onion farmers who were facing hardships in getting remunerative prices. When media asked about Mr. Raja Reddy’s political entry, Ms. Sharmila looked towards her son with a broad smile and replied, “At the appropriate time, he will come into Andhra Pradesh politics.”
On the occasion, Ms. Sharmila demanded the State Government to increase the MSP for onion to ̥̥̥₹2,400 per quintal as against ₹1,200 per quintal announced by the government. She alleged that the farmers are not getting the assured ₹1,200 per quintal price also.
Published – September 08, 2025 04:58 pm IST
