It appears that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, is gradually aligning itself with the opposition INDIA bloc, led by the Congress party at the national level.
For the first time, the YSRCP raised the demand for allocating the position of Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker to the INDIA bloc, stating that such a move is necessary to uphold the democratic spirit in the country.
YSRCP General Secretary and Rajya Sabha floor leader V Vijay Sai Reddy made this demand at an all-party meeting convened by the NDA government.
He emphasized that, according to tradition, the Deputy Speaker position in the Lok Sabha should go to the opposition.
Reddy noted that the Deputy Speaker position has been vacant for quite some time and argued that it should be given to a common candidate from the opposition alliance. He added that the party would take up this issue in the Lok Sabha as well.
Another indication of YSRCP's inclination towards the INDIA bloc was the visit of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to the dharna site in New Delhi, where Jagan was protesting against alleged attacks on YSRCP workers in Andhra Pradesh.
Akhilesh Yadav strongly condemned the acts of violence in Andhra Pradesh and stated that he was there to express solidarity with Jagan on behalf of the INDIA bloc. He also criticized the NDA's actions in Andhra Pradesh.
Additionally, the Indian Union Muslim League, a member of the INDIA bloc, expressed its support for YSRCP at Jagan’s protest in New Delhi.
It seems that Jagan believes it would be unproductive to extend unsolicited support to the NDA government, as it is seen as supporting the TDP in Andhra Pradesh.
Recognizing that rapprochement with the NDA is unlikely, he may have decided that aligning with the INDIA bloc and creating challenges for the NDA in the Rajya Sabha would be a more strategic move.
