The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has been struggling with internal instability and that makes the leadership and course of action concerns even more vital. The chaos that started in the prelude to the 2024 general elections has worsened since the party’s mining defeat. More and more of the senior leaders are either actively not affiliating themselves with the party or are on the verge of making decisions to leave.
In the news, the most prominent name is Marri Rajasekhar, who is a well-established politician representing Palnadu district. His situation in the YSRCP has been highly talked about lately. Rajasekhar, who brought visibility to YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his deceased father YS Rajasekhara Reddy, was among the loyalists who collaborated with Jagan in the creation of YSRCP, after leaving the Congress. Nevertheless, it is reported that he has been totally set apart from the party, despite his long-lasting loyal support.
Rajasekhar’s home constituency, Chilakaluripet, has been a source of continuous disappointment for him. Over the years, the party has consistently favored other leaders, overlooking his candidacy. In the most recent elections, former minister Vidadala Rajini was given the ticket for Chilakaluripet, pushing Rajasekhar further into political obscurity. While he stayed committed to the party, YSRCP attempted to placate him with an MLC position ahead of the 2024 elections.
After the elections, Jagan transferred Rajini to Guntur, only to later reinstate her in Chilakaluripet—a move that reportedly took Rajasekhar by surprise. Rajini, apart from this, made absolutely no attempt to communicate in any way with him, which was already quite isolating for him inside the party. To be candid, he is on the verge of making a strategic decision by moving to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with such remarks.
Fueling these speculations is Rajasekhar’s notable absence from a crucial YSRCP meeting in Palnadu, chaired by Jagan himself on Wednesday. The meeting saw participation from top leaders across Palnadu, Guntur, and Bapatla, making Rajasekhar’s absence even more significant. Political insiders believe this could be a clear indication that he is distancing himself from YSRCP and possibly preparing to join TDP in the near future.
As the political landscape continues to shift, all eyes are now on Rajasekhar’s next move. Will he remain in YSRCP despite his grievances, or will he take a new political path with TDP?