The President of Congress' Andhra Pradesh unit, Y.S. Sharmila Reddy, took aim at her brother, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, accusing him of once again supporting the alleged "killer" of their uncle, Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, in the Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency.
In a press conference held at Idupulapaya in Kadapa district following her announcement as the Congress candidate for the Kadapa constituency, where her cousin Y.S. Avinash Reddy is seeking re-election as the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) candidate, Sharmila expressed her determination to prevent Vivekananda Reddy's alleged murderers from gaining legislative positions.
She accused Jagan Mohan Reddy of not only protecting the perpetrator but also nominating him as a candidate, criticizing him for granting a ticket to Avinash Reddy once more.
Paying respects at her father and former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's samadhi at Idupulapaya, Sharmila was joined by her mother Y.S. Vijayamma and senior Congress leaders N. V. Raghuveera Reddy and Tulsi Reddy.
Sharmila acknowledged that contesting from Kadapa as the Congress candidate was a challenging decision, acknowledging the potential division it could cause within her family. She recounted her brother's prior support for her political aspirations, contrasting it with his current stance as Chief Minister.
Accusing her brother of fostering a culture of violence in politics, she lamented his alleged support for those involved in Vivekananda Reddy's murder, asserting that Jagan was aiding their escape.
She claimed that Vivekananda Reddy's dying wish was for her to contest the Lok Sabha seat from Kadapa.
Sharmila alleged that individuals who eliminated Vivekananda Reddy for their political gains were being shielded by Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Vivekananda Reddy, a former minister and MP and the younger brother of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, was murdered at his Pulivendula residence in Kadapa district on March 15, 2019, just weeks before the elections. He was alone at home at the time.
In April of the following year, the CBI arrested Vivekananda Reddy’s cousin, Y.S. Bhaskar Reddy, the father of YSRCP MP Avinash Reddy. The CBI alleged that both Avinash and Bhaskar Reddy conspired to eliminate Vivekananda Reddy due to his opposition to Avinash Reddy's candidacy in the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat, advocating instead for Jagan Mohan Reddy to nominate his mother Vijayamma or sister Sharmila.
However, both father and son denied the allegations.
Avinash Reddy was granted anticipatory bail by the Telangana High Court on May 31, 2023. The Congress on Tuesday released its initial list of five candidates for the Lok Sabha and 114 candidates for the Assembly elections.
The simultaneous elections for the 175-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats are scheduled for May 13.
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