The political scenario in Andhra Pradesh is rapidly changing as the vibrations from the last elections have yet to calm down even after four months. YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) lost abysmally and managed only 11 seats. Once again, it reveals that even though the party is in an enviable position, garnering much of the people’s confidence, other opposition parties are always in a look out to damage the prospects of such parties. There have been reports that some leaders of the YSRCP are being approached by ruling parties, which is giving rise to tension within the political arena.
Amid the turbulence, YSRCP is experiencing a mass exodus of leaders at all levels-be it former MLAs, ministers, MLCs, or even members of the Rajya Sabha. Leaders like Alla Nani, Balineni, Samineni, Mopidevi, and Beeda Mastan Rao have already quit the party. According to grapevine, ex-minister Vidadala Rajini is also quitting the party. Though she has not disengaged from party activities even after the defeat of the election, late long silence is prompting questions about her plans.
Vidadala Rajini hasn’t been attending party functions recently. This is totally contrary to what was being followed when she used to participate in most of the activities and events with Jagan. A regular face at media interactions, she had been keeping away from the public eye and fuelled more speculations about the possibility of a shift to Janasena. Given her husband’s Kapu community background, it seems she has been in dialogue with Pawan Kalyan, who is stated to have given her all clear for a party leap. This increasing inaction toward YSRCP related affairs may be seen in correspondence with this.
In the year 2019, Vidadala Rajini had ensured herself a ticket by winning the Chilakaluripet assembly seat outsmarting the local leader Marri Rajasekhar at that time. She soon emerged as the Minister for Medical and Health in Jagan’s cabinet. But this time, when she attempted to contest from Guntur West, she lost, and that triggered speculations that she would cross over to the rival party. However, her followers say that she would not shift allegiance and stick to YSRCP. She would be loyal to Jagan, who has played a crucial role in her political career.
As the political scenario continues changing, all attention will fall on the means through which these developments are being coined and what it says concerning the future of YSRCP and its leadership.
