Sharmila Absent as Congress Protests Over CEC Falter in Andhra Pradesh
Congress protests over the CEC row saw little activity in Andhra Pradesh, with state president Y S Sharmila absent and party visibility remaining low.
Editorial Desk
October 1, 2026 · 2 min read
(Image: Dumtika Politics Desk)
Key Highlights
- Y S Sharmila did not attend Congress protests over CEC in Andhra Pradesh.
- Congress central leadership directed state units to demonstrate nationwide.
- Only a small protest took place in Vijayawada, with limited participation.
- Analysts question Sharmila's engagement and party's visibility in the state.
The Congress party's campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has seen little momentum in Andhra Pradesh, where state president Y S Sharmila did not participate in recent protests. This absence has drawn attention to the party's limited visibility in the state and raised concerns about its leadership's engagement.
Nationally, the Congress has been pressing for action against Gyanesh Kumar following controversy over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party's central leadership, including general secretary K C Venugopal, instructed state units and District Congress Committees to stage demonstrations at State Election Commission offices and district headquarters across the country.
In Andhra Pradesh, however, the response was muted. While a handful of Congress leaders gathered at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada to demand an independent inquiry into alleged electoral irregularities and call for the CEC's removal, Sharmila was notably absent. According to reports, she was occupied with her daughter's engagement on the day of the protest.
The lack of participation from the state party president appeared to affect the turnout and enthusiasm of other Congress leaders, with only a token protest taking place in Vijayawada. The party's limited organisational strength in Andhra Pradesh was already a challenge, but the central leadership had expected the state unit to use such national campaigns to maintain public visibility.
Observers have noted that the Congress's inactivity in Andhra Pradesh during this national protest campaign has highlighted internal issues. Some within the party and political analysts have questioned Sharmila's commitment to party programmes. One analyst commented, "If Sharmila has no interest in party programmes, it is better that she steps down and makes way for others."
No official statement has been issued by Sharmila or the Andhra Pradesh Congress unit addressing her absence or the party's subdued response. It remains unclear how the state leadership plans to respond to the central leadership's expectations or if further protests will be organised.
The episode underscores the Congress's ongoing struggle to assert itself in Andhra Pradesh, where its presence has been marginal in recent years.
