Title: YSR Congress Faces Setback as Veteran Leader Balineni Srinivasa Reddy Quits for JanaSena
In the wake of electoral defeat, political parties often experience the loss of leadership; however, the departure of long-time loyalists poses a more significant challenge. This is currently the situation facing the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), as veteran leader Balineni Srinivasa Reddy has announced his resignation. A devoted follower of the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Balineni met with Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan today and is poised to join the JanaSena party shortly.
Balineni has been a prominent figure in the YS family since 1999, first winning his MLA seat on a Congress ticket. He remained loyal to Jagan Mohan Reddy after the latter’s split from Congress and the establishment of YSRCP. Despite experiencing a setback in the 2014 elections, Balineni secured victory in 2019, only to face another defeat in 2024.
While his frustrations with Jagan regarding ticket distribution and cabinet positions have been evident, his dedication to the YSR legacy has never been in question. Nevertheless, Balineni’s dissatisfaction with Jagan’s leadership style has led him to make this pivotal decision.
Images of Balineni meeting Pawan Kalyan have emerged, symbolizing a significant shift that may resonate deeply with YSR loyalists. Many supporters of the YSR family likely could not have imagined a scenario where Balineni would leave their ranks, making his departure a poignant moment in the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh.
