Even after completion of one year by the coalition government and key associates of former Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy are facing several criminal/corruption cases and even some of them were arrested, the massive crowds that are greeting the YSRCP chief wherever he goes is particularly worrying the TDP leadership.
The BJP national leadership, which had maintained cordial relationship with Jaganmohan Reddy, when he was in power, is now said to be keenly observing the public mood. In fact, several YSRCP leaders are demoralized after losing power and they are in a position to spend money for mobilization of crowds during Jagan’s visit, unlike earlier.
Jagan’s Palnadu visit has become controversial. Despite restrictions on Jagan’s visit, a large number of people have gathered. However, YSRCP leaders say that they have come spontaneously. Earlier, a similar response was seen in Tenali, Tadiparthi and Podili. The issue of placards displayed by some people during the Sattenapalli visit became controversial and cases were registered.
It may be recalled that though the YSRCP was confined to 11 assembly seats in last year’s elections, it demonstrated support of 40 percent of voters. In the same way, when TDP lost power in 2019 confining to 23 seats, it also secured over 40 percent of votes. This makes clear that both the parties have a strong vote bank of 40 percent.
This scenario also sends warning signals to the ruling parties that any wrong political step may certainly gives advantage to the other party. The TDP-led government is making hectic attempts to lock-up Jaganmohan Reddy and his close associates in severe cases of corruption and criminal activity, when they were in power. Even senior officials have also been targeted.
Though Jaganmohan Reddy escaped from the alleged large-scale corruption charges in the power purchase agreement with Adani’s group, the liquor scam created turmoil. Media leaks were given that Jagan may be the ultimate beneficiary of the scam and all the investigations are targeting him.
Moreover, migration from YSRCP towards TDP and Jana Sena, that was seen soon after election results last year, is almost stopped now. After the TDP lost the 2019 elections, all but one of the party’s Rajya Sabha members merged with the BJP. Now, after the 2024 election results, there is an argument that the YSRCP will not have much influence on the MPs.
While four resigned, Vijayasai Reddy is currently away from politics. R Krishnaiah has rejoined the BJP. There was a campaign that the Rajya Sabha MPs, except for one or two, would leave the YSRCP. But now no one seems to be eager to quit the party, mostly due to discouragement from BJP.