YS Sharmila was born and brought up in Rayalaseema. She has deep connections with the region. Pulivendula is where her maternal home is. Idupulapaya is where her father’s last resting place is. Her maternal family’s history is intertwined with the Rayalaseema region. Her father has been a Rayalaseema strong man and Jagan too has deep links to this region. In fact, he has won from Pulivendula constituency.
Yet, for the sake of a niche in Telangana politics, she has made comments against the interests of Rayalaseema region. In the Krishna water issue, she decided to side with Telangana for her own political survival. She said on Twitter that she would not allow even a drop of water to be diverted to Rayalaseema. This comment has not gone down well with the people of Rayalaseema. The issue in question is diversion of Krishna water to Rayalaseema through the Rayalaseema lift irrigation project. This is a lifeline for Rayalaseema. By making pro-Telangana statements for her political survival, she has antagonised the people of the whole of Rayalaseema.
It is now probable that despite her supportive statements, she may not win any support in Telangana, but will lose all the goodwill in Andhra Pradesh, especially Rayalaseema. It appears she needs better advisors.