Though it is an open secret that YCP MP Vijayasai Reddy has been feeling humiliation after YS Jaganmohan Reddy became chief minister in 2019 as he was isolated in the party hierarchy, the BJPs pressures are said to be behind his sudden decision to quit politics, for the time being.
He remained as a `loyal soldier’ to YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s family from the beginning and said to be `master brain’ behind all YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s financial transactions, including creation of `benami companies’ from the YS regime. Many felt that due to his `mischievous tactics’ only Jaganmohan Reddy is able to be out of jail on bail and succeeding in avoiding trial in courts for more than a decade.
Since the formation of YSRCP, he remained as `No 2’, only next to Jaganmohan Reddy and played a critical role in winning the party in 2019 polls. He was also able to create amazing rapport with the Narendra Modi-led union government, when TDP was part of the NDA from 2014. He used to have `direct access’ to the PMO, which was said to have irritated Chandrababu Naidu to quit from the NDA earlier.
However, after 2019 due to growing clout of Mrs Bharati Reddy in both the party and also the YCP government, her favourites started to dominate the scene, by sidelining him from almost all avenues. Before the 2024 elections, he was removed as incharge of North Andhra.
Though he was active during the 2024 elections, he was forced to contest in Lok Sabha elections, knowing well to be defeated. Later he was replaced by YV Subba Reddy as parliamentary party leader.
At that time, he received an offer from the BJP to join along with three YCP’s Rajya Sabha members. But, with persuasion of Jaganmohan Reddy, who promised `good days’ ahead, he remained silent. Again BJP said to be started bringing pressure on him to change the party. However, hesitant to join another party from the party nurtured by him, he has reportedly decided to keep silent for the time being.
But, another story is going round in the political circles. He is fearing arrest in the Kakinada Sea Port case, in which he was said to be a key player in forceful grabbing of shares from KV Rao. With the advice of key people in YCP, he is believed to have taken this step of quitting politics as of now.