The statement made by Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan that the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) status is granted to the second-largest party after the ruling party has sparked a political debate.
Pawan further claimed that it is not the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, but Jana Sena Party that holds the second-largest position after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly.
He stated that had the YSRCP won even one seat more than JSP, it would have secured the opposition party status. Moreover, Pawan Kalyan firmly declared that Jagan will not get the LoP status in this term.
It remains unclear whether Pawan Kalyan made this statement deliberately or out of ignorance, but it has triggered speculation about whether he is considering leaving the coalition to claim the LoP position, which would automatically deny Jagan the status.
YSRCP state general secretary SV Satish Kumar Reddy responded by demanding that Pawan Kalyan exit the coalition if he intends to act as an opposition leader.
“Jana Sena Party is part of the ruling coalition. If Pawan believes his party is the second-largest after the ruling TDP, he should step out of the alliance,” he said.
He questioned how coalition partners could criticize their own government, emphasizing that democracy requires an active opposition.
He accused the coalition of misrepresenting Jagan’s stance, spreading falsehoods, and exposing Pawan’s lack of understanding of democratic principles by insisting that Jana Sena deserves opposition status despite being in power.
Satish stated that recognizing YSRCP as the opposition party is crucial for voicing public concerns and holding the government accountable.
He clarified that Jagan’s demand for opposition status is aimed at securing Assembly time for public issues, rather than for personal gain.
Despite Jagan’s legal plea seeking recognition as the opposition party, and a four-month-old request for the Speaker’s explanation, no counter-affidavit has been filed, raising concerns about judicial respect.
Satish reiterated that an effective opposition is as vital as the ruling party in a democratic system.
