Y S Sharmila Files Nomination for Kadapa Lok Sabha Constituency, to Face Cousin in Polls

Y S Sharmila, the Andhra Pradesh Congress President, filed her nomination for the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat on Thursday, accompanied by her cousin Sunitha Narreddy. Sharmila will contest against her cousin Y S Avinash Reddy from the ruling YSRCP party in the May 13 elections.

Before filing her nomination, Sharmila paid tribute to her father and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy in Kadapa. A massive rally was held in Kadapa city to kick off Sharmila's nomination process, which took place at the Kadapa Collectorate. After filing her nomination, Sharmila Reddy addressed a large public meeting to connect with the people of the region.

Interestingly, Sharmila's own brother, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, has thrown his weight behind the Congress candidate in her own district, causing a stir in political circles.

Avinash Reddy, who is an accused in the ongoing Y S Vivekananda Reddy murder case, filed his nomination from the Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency once again. Other key candidates who filed their nominations include YSRCP MP M Gurumoorthy for the Tirupati Lok Sabha seat, YSRCP's Rajampet MP P V Midhun Reddy, and former Lok Sabha member C Mohan of the Congress for the Tirupati constituency.

A total of 53 candidates filed nominations in 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in Andhra Pradesh on Friday, including 13 candidates from the YSRCP, such as sitting MPs and MLAs. Other notable candidates include BJP State president Daggubati Purandeswari for the Rajamahendravaram LS seat and TDP's Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni) for the Vijayawada LS seat.

Why this matters: The Kadapa Lok Sabha seat contest between cousins Y S Sharmila and Y S Avinash Reddy is drawing significant attention in Andhra Pradesh polls. The outcome could have implications for the power dynamics within the influential YSR family and the state's political landscape.

A court in Kadapa has issued an order till April 30, restraining political parties from using derogatory remarks on the murder of former minister Vivekananda Reddy, linking it to the YSRCP and its leaders. The court directed Sharmila, Sunitha, and other political leaders not to make defamatory remarks against Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and YSRCP Kadapa Lok Sabha contestant YS Avinash Reddy, who is one of the accused in Vivekananda Reddy

Key Takeaways

• Y S Sharmila, Andhra Pradesh Congress chief, filed nomination for Kadapa LS seat.
• Sharmila will contest against her cousin Y S Avinash Reddy of ruling YSRCP party.
• Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy has backed Sharmila, causing stir in political circles.
• Avinash Reddy, accused in Vivekananda Reddy murder case, also filed nomination.
• Court restrained political parties from making defamatory remarks on Vivekananda Reddy case.