Vijay Sai Reddy’s New Party: Who Will Gain, Who Will Lose in AP?
Former MP Vijay Sai Reddy made a key announcement in Tirumala on Wednesday. He said that he is going to launch a new political party and that the party’s objectives and policies will also be announced in Vijayawada later this month. For the past few days, there has been widespread speculation in political circles that Vijay Sai Reddy was planning to launch a new party. In line with those reports, he has now officially revealed his plans to launch the party. After bidding goodbye to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), there were strong speculations that Vijay Sai Reddy would join the BJP, which is in power at the Centre. The main reason for these speculations was his close relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as key BJP leaders. However, for reasons that are not known, his entry into the BJP did not materialise. Now, he is all set to launch a new party in Andhra Pradesh politics. It is being said that Vijay Sai Reddy has already entrusted his close associates with the responsibility of looking for offices for the new party in all districts of Andhra Pradesh.
After offering prayers at the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala on Wednesday, Vijay Sai Reddy spoke to the media and said that he had decided to launch a political party to strongly raise people’s problems and the voice of the people in the legislative assemblies. He said that as part of this decision, he visited Lord Venkateswara and sought his blessings. Against this backdrop, a discussion is now underway over who will benefit and who will suffer because of the new party being launched by Vijay Sai Reddy. It would be premature to arrive at an assessment of the impact of Vijay Sai Reddy’s party at this stage. However, considering his past political history and associations, there are assessments that, if there is any impact, it would largely be felt by the YSRCP. It is also difficult to say at this stage to what extent that impact would be. However, it can almost be said that voters supporting the ruling alliance parties in Andhra Pradesh are unlikely to turn towards Vijay Sai Reddy or the new party he is going to launch.
If at all, BJP cadres may have some soft corner for Vijay Sai Reddy because of his close association with some of the party’s leaders. However, it is a known fact that the BJP’s strength in Andhra Pradesh is currently very limited. In any case, political circles are discussing that if Vijay Sai Reddy’s new party causes any damage, it would be only to the YSRCP. On the other hand, following its humiliating defeat in the last elections, the YSRCP has also been facing severe criticism for the past two years, including for not even attending the Assembly. It is being said that a majority of the leaders who may join Vijay Sai Reddy’s new party are also likely to come from the YSRCP. The extent to which Vijay Sai Reddy’s new party will have an impact in Andhra Pradesh remains to be seen.
