Dk To Take Initiative To Bring Jagan Into Congress Fold

With seasoned Congress leader D K Shivakumar taking oath as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka, speculation has begun over its possible impact on Congress affairs in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

Political observers say Shivakumar could be entrusted with the responsibility of strengthening the party across South India, including Andhra Pradesh, where the Congress is struggling for survival ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

According to a political analyst, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is not merely focused on Karnataka politics but is allegedly pursuing a larger “Mission South” plan aimed at consolidating the party’s influence across the southern states.

The objective is to maximise parliamentary gains from the South, which is expected to play a decisive role in any attempt by a Congress-led alliance to challenge the BJP at the national level in 2029.

The Congress currently governs Telangana and Karnataka and, through alliances, enjoys political relevance in other southern states.

However, Andhra Pradesh remains the one major southern state where the party has failed to regain a meaningful presence since the bifurcation of the state.

Much of the Congress’ traditional vote base in Andhra Pradesh migrated to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) under the leadership of former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is also struggling to stage a comeback after the party’s electoral debacle in 2024.

With the ruling NDA alliance in Andhra Pradesh currently enjoying strong political momentum and the YSRCP facing a challenging political environment, the Congress is believed to be assessing options to rebuild its presence in the state.

Analysts suggest that bringing Jagan Mohan Reddy closer to the Congress fold, either directly or through a strategic alliance, could be viewed as a potential pathway to reviving the party’s fortunes in Andhra Pradesh.

They further point to D K Shivakumar’s longstanding relationship with the YSR family. Shivakumar is widely believed to have maintained close political and personal ties with members of the family since the days of Jagan’s father and former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Because of these connections, political circles speculate that Shivakumar could play a key role in any future dialogue between the Congress and Jagan Mohan Reddy.

His familiarity with Andhra Pradesh’s political dynamics and his relationship with the YSR family are seen as potential advantages in such an effort.

According to the assessment, the Congress remains keen on ensuring that regional parties do not indirectly strengthen the BJP’s position at the national level.

Any political understanding with the YSRCP could therefore be viewed as strategically significant from the Congress perspective.

Analysts argue that the Congress may try to use experienced leaders such as Shivakumar to maintain communication channels with Jagan Mohan Reddy and explore possibilities for future cooperation.

Such efforts, if undertaken, would be aimed at strengthening the opposition’s prospects in Andhra Pradesh and improving the Congress’ overall position in South India.

However, sources said Jagan may not be interested in allying with the Congress as long as the party is headed by his sister Y S Sharmila in the state.

“That is precisely why the party high command is contemplating sending Sharmila to the Rajya Sabha and confining her to Delhi politics, while bringing in another senior leader who has good relations with Jagan as the APCC chief,” sources said.

Still, it remains doubtful whether Jagan would ever ally with the Congress, which he believes ruined his life in the past. He is still believed to favour a cordial relationship with the BJP, as he feels it could help him both electorally and personally.

“For now, he may adopt a wait-and-watch approach,” sources said.