In a major political move, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council member Duvvada Srinivas has been suspended by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). This was announced late Tuesday evening via an official party statement and caught fire on social media within a matter of seconds, triggering terse responses, memes, and guessing games.
The suspension has sparked hot debate among political circles and the public. Although the party did not provide a clear reason, most people feel that the decision was prompted by Srinivas’ recent public appreciation of TDP leader and state minister Nara Lokesh. The decision did not please party loyalists, and some insiders say it was the last straw in a series of worries.
Sources also indicated that there was growing pressure among YSRCP’s internal talks, especially during the recent PAC (Public Accounts Committee) session when several leaders have reportedly made protestations regarding Srinivas’ conduct. Faced with rising discontent, party leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy reportedly had no other option but to resort to disciplinary measures.
On Thursday, Duvvada Srinivas issued an emotional video reaction to his suspension. Anything but combative, Srinivas seemed calm and thanked CM Jagan Mohan Reddy for guiding him as a politician. He called the suspension a “temporary pause” and stressed that his belief in Jagan remains intact.
He boldly asserted that he would recover with fresh vigor and continue to serve the public in the coming days.
Duvvada Srinivas is not new to political setbacks. Having a political career of more than two decades, he began in another political party before moving to Praja Rajyam, the party started by actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi. He later switched to YSRCP in 2014.
Even though he contested several polls — including the recent 2024 assembly elections from Tekkali — electoral success has not favored him. But in the year 2021, he was elected as an MLC, a milestone in his political career.
Though the party has formally disassociated itself from Srinivas, his grace in response and his ongoing devotion to Jagan have set political experts and the masses talking. His statement alludes to a possible political return and a perception that this chapter is not the closing of his book with YSRCP.
Only time will reveal if Srinivas will come back to the party fold or set a new path in his political career. For the moment, his mature handling of a delicate situation has won him sympathy and respect.
