This Y.S. Sharmila Rajya Sabha buzz is getting more interesting now because support is not coming from just Congress circles . Both Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena-UBT have openly backed her rumored nomination from Karnataka,and that itself says political calculations are moving quietly behind scenes.
All this started getting louder after her recent meeting with senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi . Since then,discussion around her possible Rajya Sabha candidacy has picked up,especially because Karnataka Congress already has its own internal push and pull going on.
Krishna Hegde,a spokesperson for Shiv Sena,said Sharmila's nomination would be commendable decision by Congress party,mainly because of her father's legacy in Karnataka politics . He also pointed out that Congress is contesting three or four Rajya Sabha seats in Karnataka,so naturally everyone wants their own preferred name in list.
And honestly,this is where things look little messy inside Congress.
Hegde said there is internal competition between factions led by D.K . Shivakumar and caretaker Chief Minister Siddaramaiah . Both sides are apparently trying to push their own candidates,and that makes Sharmila's possible entry more complicated . His words were clear: "There is tussle between the factions, and both sides are trying to secure their candidates for the Rajya Sabha, which adds a layer of complexity to Sharmila's potential nomination."
Few things standing out rn:
- Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's legacy is being seen as big factor in Y.S . Sharmila's case.
- Congress has three or four Rajya Sabha seats it is contesting in Karnataka.
- Final call depends on Karnataka's Congress leadership and whether factions can agree .
Shiv Sena-UBT leader Anand Dubey also spoke in support of Sharmila . He said she has considerable support in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana,and suggested her hard work and commitment to Congress party could help create mutually beneficial agreement over Rajya Sabha candidacy.
But this is politics ah,nothing is simple till final list comes out . Dubey also said promoting capable woman like Sharmila would help party in current political situation,especially when Congress is trying to strengthen its base and also connect with young voters .
At same time,Hegde admitted this whole matter is basically internal decision of Congress . He said,"The decision on whether Y.S. Sharmila will be nominated is ultimately up to Karnataka's Congress leadership."
So now question is whether Congress leadership will actually go ahead with Y.S. Sharmila or whether faction pressure inside Karnataka unit will block it quietly…
