Ready to work with Congress, says Sharmila

YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) President YS Sharmila on Tuesday announced that she has decided to work with the Congress. She told media persons at Idupulapaya in YSR Kadapa district that valuing the YSRTP’s sacrifice in Telangana, the Congress has invited her to join it. “I have no objection in working with the Congress. As Congress is the largest secular party in the country and it is working to provide security to everyone, I have decided to strengthen the party,” she said. Sharmila said she would be leaving for New Delhi on Wednesday. “You will get answers to all your queries in a day or two,” she said while declining to answer any queries. She claimed that Congress came to power in Telangana because of her party’s support. “YSRTP played a key role in defeating anti-people government of KCR. In 31 constituencies, the Congress won only by a majority of 10,000 votes. This was because we did not contest the elections. “Had the YSRTP contested, the Congress would have been in big trouble. This sense of gratitude is also there in the Congress,” she added. Accompanied by son Y.S. Raja Reddy and soon-to-be daughter-in-law Atluri Priya, Sharmila visited the samadhi of her father and former (undivided) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy at Idupulapaya. She had revealed on Monday that Raja Reddy’s engagement with Atluri Priya will take place on January 18 while their wedding is set for February 17. Sharmila presented the first invitation card at YSR’s samadhi to take his blessings. Earlier, she held a meeting with YSRTP leaders in Hyderabad to discuss the proposal for merger with the Congress. Sharmila will reach New Delhi on Wednesday and will join the Congress party in the presence of top leaders the next day. YSRTP General Secretary T. Devender Reddy said Sharmila is likely to get a key post in the party.