Why is BJP attacking YSRC leader Sharmila and her husband Anil? By directing the attack on Sharmila, who is learnt to have differences with her brother Jagan Mohan Reddy, is the BJP sending a signal to the Kadapa MP that its hand of friendship is still extended to him? The BJP appears keen on entering into an election understanding with Jagan Mohan Reddy before it is too late as the Congress has already begun similar efforts and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav is making preparations for a third front at the national level.
In the event of Jagan Mohan Reddy supporting the third front, the BJP-led NDA will be in trouble.
In the past, BJP leaders have sent several signals to Jagan camp for pre-poll and post-poll understanding, but there is no response from him.
With reports from Delhi that Jagan Mohan Reddy too is inching towards the Congress, the BJP is learnt to have decided to attack Sharmila and thus send a subtle message to him for a pact, at least after the elections.
According to sources, Congress high command has intensified efforts to have an alliance with Jagan Mohan Reddy because it wants to improve its prospects in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema.
Against this backdrop, Anakapalle MP Sabbam Hari held talks with Jagan though he dismissed reports that he was brokering peace between Congress and YSRC.
At the national-level, Mulayam has started efforts towards a strong third front and expressed confidence that the front would come to power after the 2014 elections.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav too has friendly relations with Jagan.
Hence, the BJP leaders are apprehensive that the Kadapa MP might move closer to Mulayam.
According to sources, the sudden outburst of the BJP at Sharmila and her husband is as per the directions from the party national leadership.
BJP spokesperson NVSS Prabhakar, however, says he is targeting Sharmila and Anil Kumar on ideological issues and not for electoral adjustments.
Anil and Sharmila, in the name of promoting Christianity, were making a business, he said, adding, “I wanted to expose this and several scams in which they are involved.”