Nearly a year after resigning from the YSR Congress Party following its electoral defeat, former Andhra Pradesh Women’s Commission Chairperson Vasireddy Padma continues to remain unattached to any political party — fuelling speculation about her next move.
Padma had previously announced her intention to join the TDP, but the move did not materialise. Discussions were also reported regarding possible entry into Jana Sena, but that too did not progress.
Padma began her political career with Praja Rajyam Party, serving as its official spokesperson. Later, she joined YSRCP and was appointed chairperson of the AP Women’s Commission during the Jagan regime.
During her stint in the YSRCP, Padma earned notoriety for her foul-mouthing of opposition leaders, including TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan. She even confronted Naidu directly during a case.
After YSRCP’s 2024 defeat, she resigned and criticised the party’s leadership, stating she was “denied even an MLC opportunity.”
Padma openly expressed her dissatisfaction over how she was treated despite holding a cabinet-rank post during Jagan’s tenure.
TDP leadership reportedly raised objections to her entry, as she made unsavoury comments against Naidu when she was in the YSRCP.
Attempts to join the TDP through MP Kesineni Chinni also failed to secure approval from the top leadership.
She made an attempt to join the Jana Sena Party, but withdrew the plan after former MLA Samineni Udayabhanu joined the party and became Krishna district president of the party.
With the TDP-Jana Sena-BJP alliance government already 18 months old, Padma has not received a clear invitation from any of the three parties. BJP remains the only unexplored option, but so far, there has been no green signal.
Political circles say clarity on her future is likely soon, as Padma weighs her next steps amid diminishing political space.