Tempers flared as counter-slogans in favour of Rahul Gandhi’s leadership were raised, resulting in heated arguments and physical altercations. Police were called to the scene to separate the fractions and restore order

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The simmering discontent within the Andhra Pradesh Congress boiled over into a full-blown confrontation as supporters of PCC chief Y.S. Sharmila and AICC member Sunkara Padmashree clashed during a party meeting in Kadapa. The incident, marked by sloganeering, physical jostling, and open defiance, has once again exposed the deepening factionalism threatening to cripple the state unit of the Congress.

The meeting, held at the IMA Hall and organized by Padmashree, was reportedly aimed at discussing Sharmila’s “ineffective leadership.” The attendees included former DCC president Gundlakunta Sriramulu and other dissenters, some of whom are currently aligned with the YSRCP. However, the event quickly descended into chaos when Sharmila loyalists—led by DCC president Vijayajyothi and several local leaders—stormed the venue, shouting pro-Sharmila slogans and attempting to block the gathering.

Tempers flared as counter-slogans in favour of Rahul Gandhi’s leadership were raised, resulting in heated arguments and physical altercations. Police were called to the scene to separate the fractions and restore order. Addressing the media afterward, Padmashree launched a blistering attack on Sharmila, accusing her of damaging the party’s prospects by focusing solely on personal attacks against former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy instead of strengthening the Congress. “She has buried the party and betrayed the cadre,” she alleged, vowing to take the matter to Rahul Gandhi directly.

Padmashree also accused Sharmila of misappropriating party funds and abandoning candidates and grassroots workers during the elections. “Forget support—she didn’t even supply party flags to candidates,” she said bitterly. Declaring her intent to resign from the post, Padmashree demanded that Sharmila take moral responsibility and step down.

This confrontation follows similar protests in Vijayawada weeks ago, where senior leaders accused Sharmila of sidelining veteran Congress workers and operating unilaterally. “She treated seasoned leaders like scrap,” Padmashree said, adding that even AICC in-charge M. Tagore failed to intervene effectively.

Discontent has also been brewing ever since Padmashree was denied the Vijayawada MP ticket, a position she had sought, and was instead offered the Vijayawada East Assembly seat, which she declined. The issue is now expected to escalate to the Congress high command in Delhi, with calls growing louder for a leadership overhaul in AP Congress.