The YCP chief and former chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s decision not to attend the forthcoming assembly session and also not to contest in the upcoming Graduates MLC polls attracted severe criticism from the TDP.
TDP MLC Bhumireddy Ramgopal Reddy wondered about Jagan’s decision to keep away from MLC polls, even after he announced Gowtham Reddy as party’s candidate. After the recent disastrous defeat in the polls, he said that Jagan is fearing to face elections and even people.
He questioned why he was staying away from the MLC elections to be held through ballot. He was furious that Jagan did not participate in the elections and did not come to the assembly. He asked why as an MLA he should be given salary and all benefits from the government, if he cannot solve the public problems in Pulivendula.
He commented that if he resigns immediately, another MLA will come to Pulivendula. Bhumireddy said that it is shameful for Jagan to run away without coming to the assembly. The YSRCP announced on Thursday that it is boycotting the elections for the graduate MLC constituencies of Krishna-Guntur and both Godavari districts.
There is a debate that there are many reasons behind the party’s decision. It seems that by boycotting the elections, on the one hand, they can save their face from possible worst defeat, and on the other hand, they can hurt their rival, the ruling TDP.
Last year, during the graduate elections in North Andhra, East and West Rayalaseema, the ruling YSRCP made all efforts to win those three seats. It committed unprecedented irregularities in voter registration. However, YSRCP supporters suffered a crushing defeat in all three places.
If the previous result is repeated, the party will be further demoralized. Moreover, analyses suggest that it boycotted the elections with the idea that it could indirectly help the PDF to give a stronger competition to the Telugu Desam Party. Thus, it can hurt the TDP.