YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will not be granted the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) status in the State Assembly for the next four years, no matter what efforts he makes.
This was stated by Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, while addressing the media after the Assembly session.
“One cannot get the Leader of the Opposition status by demanding it. It has to be given by the people,” Pawan Kalyan said.
He explained that LoP status is automatically granted to the party that secures the second-highest number of seats after the ruling party.
“Jagan would have received the status automatically if his party had secured the required number of MLA seats,” he added.
Pawan Kalyan pointed out that, after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), it is the Jana Sena Party that holds the second-highest number of seats in the Assembly, even though it is part of the ruling coalition.
“Had the YSRCP won even one more seat than us, it would have secured the Leader of the Opposition status,” he said.
Criticizing the YSRCP’s stance, Pawan Kalyan stated that it is unacceptable for the party to threaten to stall Assembly proceedings over the issue.
“The people have given you 11 seats. Please respect the people’s mandate,” he urged.
The Deputy CM appealed to Jagan and his MLAs to attend Assembly sessions, raise public concerns, and highlight government lapses if any.
“You will be allotted sufficient time to speak in the House as per your strength,” he assured.
He also urged them to maintain decorum in the Assembly instead of causing disruptions.
“Accept reality. With just 11 seats, the YSRCP will not get LoP status in this term. This is not an insult or an attempt to belittle them. They must follow the established norms,” Pawan Kalyan said.
However, YSRCP Council leader Botcha Satyanarayana disagreed, arguing that there are only two factions in the House—the coalition in the treasury benches and the YSRCP as the only opposition.
“There is no option for the government but to grant the Opposition Party status to the YSRCP,” he insisted.
