Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh recently experienced one of the biggest political setbacks of his career. In the latest elections, his party YSR Congress suffered a dramatic fall from 151 seats to just eleven. This steep decline is a severe blow for any political leader, especially for someone as central to his party’s image as Jagan.
Adding to his troubles, the political landscape in Andhra Pradesh has shifted dramatically. N. Chandrababu Naidu, the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader, now holds considerable influence in both the state assembly and the central government. This is because the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Center depends on TDP’s sixteen Members of Parliament (MPs) for support.
Despite this, Jagan was hopeful that his party’s presence in the Rajya Sabha, where they hold eleven seats would offer some political leverage. The Rajya Sabha being the upper house of India’s Parliament plays a crucial role in passing legislation. Jagan believed this could help him navigate the tough political waters he’s currently facing.
However recent developments have further dimmed Jagan’s hopes. With the upcoming elections for twelve Rajya Sabha seats, the NDA will likely gain a clear lead. The NDA’s current strength in the Rajya Sabha is already substantial, with 105 seats, including 87 held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alone. With the expected results from the September 3rd elections, the NDA’s strength is projected to rise to 122 seats, securing a majority in the 241-member house.
This change would significantly weaken Jagan’s position, making it harder for him to influence decisions in the Rajya Sabha. Given these circumstances, it is reported that Jagan might be considering aligning with the opposition INDI alliance signaling his recognition of the challenging times ahead.
