The denial citing security concerns has come as a major setback to APCC chief Y.S. Sharmila, as wedding invitations have already been distributed mentioning Yelahanka Palace as the venue. | Photo Credit: File Photo
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has reportedly declined to allow his sister and APCC president Y.S. Sharmila to perform her daughter’s wedding at the family’s Yelahanka Palace in Bengaluru citing security reasons.
This has triggered a political controversy amidst the siblings’ ongoing differences over family property.
Ms. Sharmila had planned to perform the wedding of her daughter Y.S. Anjili Reddy with U.S.-based Somala Raghurami Reddy at the palace on November 25. The couple got engaged on September 24.
According to people privy to the developments, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy reportedly conveyed his unwillingness to permit the venue through their mother Y.S. Vijayamma.
Efforts by Ms. Sharmila to persuade her brother through family members reportedly failed, leaving her with little choice but to look for an alternative venue in Bengaluru.
The decision was said to have come as a major setback to Ms. Sharmila, as wedding invitations had already been distributed among relatives, political leaders and other prominent personalities. The bridegroom’s family had also reportedly circulated invitations mentioning Yelahanka Palace as the venue.
The issue drew a defence from senior YSRCP leader Perni Nani, who argued that security considerations needed to be taken into account before criticising Mr. Jagan’s decision.
Reacting to a vernacular media report on the controversy, Mr. Nani said the residences of the two siblings were located within the same compound and that hosting a wedding there could pose security challenges for the YSRCP chief, who is provided Z-plus category security.
Senior Congress leader Kolanukonda Shivaji, meanwhile, criticised Mr. Jagan’s stand. In a social media post, he cited the examples of the weddings of the sons of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, arguing that they were performed on residential premises, or locations covered by security arrangements.
However, sources close to Ms. Sharmila expressed disappointment over the reported denial of the venue, recalling that her father and former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had hosted marriages of his brothers’ children and other family members wherever he lived, despite the serious threats to his life.
Some of those close to Ms. Sharmila argued that if security was the principal concern, Mr. Jagan could consider staying elsewhere for a few days to facilitate the wedding at the palace.
The controversy has once again brought the strained relationship between Mr. Jagan and Ms. Sharmila into focus. Their differences over family property have already spilled into the political arena, and the reported disagreement over the wedding venue has added a fresh dimension to the family dispute.
Published - October 23, 2026 08:38 pm IST