The YSR Congress party has won just 11 seats in the assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh held in May 2024; and it could not get even the main opposition status in the state assembly.
But what is surprising is that except party president and former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy (from Pulivendula) and senior leader Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy (from Punganur), none of the remaining nine MLAs is actively seen and heard in the media or public.
Once in a while, one can find the press statements of a couple of other senior MLAs like Akepati Amarnath Reddy from Rajampet, Buchepalli Sivaprasad Reddy from Darsi and Tatiparthi Chandrasekhar from Yerragondapalem when there any happenings related to their constituencies.
But others like Regam Matsyalingam from Araku Valley, Matysarasa Vishweshwar Rao from Paderu, Dasari Sudha from Badvel, Y Balanagi Reddy from Mantralayam and B Virupaksha from Alur are rarely visible.
According to a political observer, these YSRCP MLAs, who have won fighting against all odds, are the asset for the party.
“Jagan should utilise their services in the best possible way and treat them as party ambassadors. They should get prominence in the public campaign and should be given prominent posts in the party,” he said.
But unfortunately, except one or two, none of these MLAs has not been made a spokesperson of the party, gets a chance to address press conferences and takes part any the decision-making meetings.
“On Friday, party state coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy and former minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy were seen at the media conclave held in Mangalagiri. why wasn’t any elected YSRCP MLA deputed for the conclave?” the observer asked.
Similarly, at the media conferences, defeated leaders like Ambati Rambabu or R K Roja or even Vellampalli Srinivas are always seen.
“The elected YSRCP MLAs have been made mere dummies. Only the coterie around Jagan gets prominence,” the observer added.