Major Blow To Jagan: Two Rajya Sabha MPs Resign From YSRCP

Two Rajya Sabha members from the YSR Congress party in Andhra Pradesh resigned from their positions on Thursday. Mopidevi Venkataramana and Beeda Mastan Rao cited "personal reasons" for their decision in letters to party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

>Venkatar and Mastan Rao met Vice-President and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhank to submit their resignation letters. Dhankhar accepted their resignations immediately, according to sources familiar with the matter. Venkataramana's term was set to end in June 2026, while Mastan Rao's term was due to expire in June 2028.

Impact on YSRCP

The resignations have reduced YSRCP's strength in the Rajya Sabha from 11 members to nine. A party leader, speaking anonymously, indicated that more Rajya Sabha MPs might also leave the party soon. This development follows the resignation of YSRCP women's wing president and MLC Pothula Sunitha just a day earlier.

Venkataramana announced his intention to join the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). "I shall accept whatever responsibility I am given by the party president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is making sincere efforts to develop the state," he said. He mentioned various reasons for leaving YSRCP, stating that he had been contemplating this decision for a long time.

Political Background

Venkataramana entered politics through the Congress in 1989 but lost elections from Kuchinapudi assembly constituency in 1989 and 1994. He later won from the same constituency in 1999 and 2004 and got elected from Repalle constituency in 2009. He served as a minister under late YS Rajasekhara Reddy and N Kiran Kumar Reddy before joining YSR Congress after Andhra Pradesh's bifurcation.

Mastan Rao expressed gratitude towards Jagan for allowing him to serve the party and people. "I have not yet taken a decision on my future course of action. I shall discuss with my followers and supporters on which party I should join," he said.

Mastan Rao's Journey

Mastan Rao, also known as BM Rao, is the chairman of BMR Group, a shrimp farming and exports firm operating in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. A backward class leader from the Yadava community, his political career began with TDP in 1983. He was elected as MLA from Kavali assembly seat in 2004 and 2009 but lost to a YSRCP candidate in 2014.

In December 2019, Mastan Rao joined YSRCP after quitting TDP over "personal reasons" and became a Rajya Sabha MP in 2022. He contested from Nellore Lok Sabha seat during the 2019 general elections but lost to a YSRCP candidate.

YSRCP's Reaction

The resignations prompted strong reactions from YSRCP leaders. Former minister Ambati Rambabu criticised those defecting to TDP due to YSRCP losing power. "They have lost their dignity and image. Such leaders won't get the support of the people," he stated.

Another senior leader, Kakani Goverdhan Reddy, accused chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu of poaching YSRCP leaders by offering them attractive positions. "During his earlier stint, Naidu lured 23 YSRCP MLAs and in subsequent elections, his party ended up with only 23 seats in the assembly," he remarked.