At a time when the political environment heated up with intensive campaigning in elections, the sudden journey of Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s mother YS Vijayamma to the USA evoked attention from all. Though she was never seen in the political arena during her husband and former chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s active political life, only after his death she started taking active part in support of her children.
She started her political journey by contesting in the Pulivendula by-election as Congress candidate soon after her husband’s death. Later she walked away with son YS Jaganmohan Reddy from Congress and stood behind him as Honorary President when he started YSR Congress Party. She had actively taken part in poll campaigns and also contested for Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha in 2014 polls, but lost.
When her daughter YS Sharmila started a party in Telangana also she stood behind her. But she started facing an embarrassing situation after Sharmila joined Congress and became APCC chief. Her political fight against own brother and decision to contest from Kadapa Lok Sabha, against her own cousin brother YS Avinash Reddy pushed Vijayamma into a delicate scenario.
Observers felt that she left for the USA as she is unable to stand behind her son YS Jaganmohan Reddy seeking a second term to him and also at the same time supports daughter Sharmila, who is fighting against brother. A senior YCP leader said that she can neither seek the defeat of her son, nor wish for political failure of her daughter.
Though at initial stage she has reportedly tried to patch up differences between Jagan Mohan Reddy and Sharmila, insiders felt now it is beyond her reach. So, it is believed that she has decided to keep away from the state and return only after election results.
Last month, Vijayamma participated in special prayers held at YS Ghat in Idupulapaya from where Jagan Mohan Reddy started his poll campaign, on March 27. Later, she also blessed her daughter Sharmila, when the latter started her poll campaign from the same place.
