The budget session of the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly is set to begin on Monday, with the Chandrababu Naidu-led government facing a Herculean task in mobilizing resources to fund its promised welfare schemes.
However, YSR Congress Party president Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has once again decided to skip the session, citing the denial of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) status as the reason.
His party MLAs will also be boycotting the session, effectively giving the ruling coalition an uncontested platform.
While many may disagree with Jagan’s justification for avoiding the Assembly, they at least expect him to stay in Tadepalli and follow the proceedings closely.
Surprisingly, instead of staying in Tadepalli, Jagan has chosen to return to his Bengaluru residence for rest—at a time when his party should be actively countering the ruling party by questioning the budget’s shortcomings, poor sectoral allocations, and governance lapses.
By attending the budget session, Jagan could have gained political mileage.
Even if he refuses to step inside the Assembly, he could still stage protests outside, conduct a mock assembly, lead demonstrations on public issues, or organize a symbolic dharna near the Assembly premises.
However, Jagan appears uninterested in such actions, opting instead to stay away in Bengaluru, setting an example that his party MLAs are likely to follow, remaining inactive in their respective constituencies.
As the main opposition party, the YSRCP should be at the forefront of raising public concerns. However, its prolonged inaction is pushing it toward political obscurity.
Even if they choose to boycott the Assembly, party leaders argue that they must remain in Andhra Pradesh, actively voicing public grievances.
Many within the party are urging Jagan to stay in Tadepalli, be accessible to the public and party workers, and provide direction to his cadre.
The big question remains: Will Jagan heed these concerns and re-engage with state politics, or will he continue down his current path of detachment?
