YSR Congress faces exodus of leaders

In a series of setbacks for the ruling YSR Congress Party (YCP), senior leaders continue to abandon the party ahead of the upcoming elections, causing ripples in the political landscape. The latest blow comes from Anakapalli district, where former minister and YCP State general secretary Dadi Veerabhadra Rao, along with his sons, Anakapalli parliamentary constituency observer Dadi Ratnakar and Jayveer, joined the Telugu Desam Party in the presence of TDP national president Nara Chandrababu Naidu in Amaravati on Wednesday.
Dadi Veerabhadra Rao, a seasoned politician, had a long association with TDP before joining the YCP in 2013. His son, Dadi Ratnakar, contested the 2014 elections from Visakhapatnam West constituency, but faced defeat. Following a hiatus from politics, Veerabhadra Rao rejoined the YCP before the 2019 general elections. However, sources reveal that Veerabhadra Rao’s discontent grew within the YCP ranks. Despite his efforts in the last election and his family’s contributions, he felt marginalised within the party. His aspirations for key positions went unacknowledged, leading to disillusionment.
The recent recommendation of Minister Amar and district party president Boddeda Prasad for an MLA ticket to another family further fueled Veerabhadra Rao’s decision to resign.
In a letter addressed to YCP president Jaganmohan Reddy, Veerabhadra Rao expressed his disappointment, citing lack of recognition for his contributions and the party’s failure to assure him of an Anakapalli ticket in the ensuing elections. He officially resigned from the party on Tuesday.
Dadi Veerabhadra Rao, with a storied political career, began his journey with the TDP in 1985, winning as an MLA from Anakapalli. His contributions include serving as the State Information Minister and RTC Region Chairman. Despite facing setbacks in 2004 and 2009 elections, he remained an influential figure within TDP, holding positions such as Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council and member of the politburo. As the YSR Congress Party grapples with these successive departures, the political landscape in Andhra Pradesh witnesses a significant realignment, leaving voters and analysts intrigued about the potential impact on the elections.