Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy recently escalated a family property dispute by dragging his sister, Y.S. Sharmila, and mother, Y.S. Vijayamma, into court. The dispute reportedly centres around the transfer of shares held by Vijayamma in several family-owned companies to Sharmila. This decision and Vijayamma’s subsequent public letter criticizing her son have become a topic of debate in Telugu states. Vijayamma’s letter became a focal point in Andhra Pradesh political circles, casting light on the deepening rift in the Y.S. family. In response, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) issued an official letter, countering Vijayamma’s claims and criticizing her public stance.
YSRCP’s Letter: Criticisms Against Vijayamma’s Allegations
The YSRCP’s letter, released from its official social media handle, addressed the accusations made by Vijayamma in her open letter. Acknowledging her as the “wife of the late, great leader Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy” and the mother of Jagan Mohan Reddy, the letter expressed respect but criticized her actions as potentially damaging to the family and the party.
The YSRCP letter highlighted five main points. Firstly, the letter stated that it is a “conspiracy” and “deceit” to transfer her shares to Sharmila without Jagan’s signature. The letter argued that Vijayamma, fully aware of the legal implications, nonetheless went ahead, creating complications for Jagan. It also questioned her endorsement of Sharmila in the 2024 elections, as it indirectly benefited N. Chandrababu Naidu (CBN), YSR’s longtime political rival. Furthermore, the letter suggested that Vijayamma’s actions could jeopardize Jagan’s legal standing, as he is out on bail; it questioned how a mother could endanger her son’s freedom. Ultimately, the YSRCP portrayed Jagan as a “victim” of his family’s actions, implying that Sharmila and Vijayamma moves undermined his position.
Public Backlash: Social Media Criticism of YSRCP’s Anonymous Letter
The YSRCP letter, however, did not sit well with the public. Released without a signature, it raised immediate questions on social media about its authorship. Many netizens wondered who authored it, speculating whether it was Jagan himself, his wife Bharati, or party advisor Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy. They questioned why the letter was unsigned, which was seen as an attempt to obscure accountability.
Additionally, some netizens criticized the YSRCP’s tendency to blame its rival, CBN, for internal family disputes. Sarcastic comments circulated, suggesting that Jagan himself might even have dragged his mother to court under Naidu’s influence. Another point of criticism highlighted Vijayamma’s former role as honorary chief of the YSRCP, a detail which seemed forgotten in the letter’s criticism of her.
Overall, this incident has cast a revealing light on Jagan’s leadership and his strained family relations. Many view this open confrontation as exposing Jagan’s character, with his mother and sister openly challenging his decisions.
