Popular Telugu actor and comedian Ali, who has been keeping away from politics for the last one year, is once again at the centre of political buzz, amid speculation that he may be preparing to re-enter the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and resume active political involvement.
A photograph of Ali meeting YSR Congress party leader and former MLA Vallabhaneni Vamsi has gone viral on social media, triggering renewed discussions about the actor’s political comeback.
The photograph, showing Ali felicitating Vamsi with a shawl, is being widely circulated in YSRCP circles and interpreted by some as a sign of his re-engagement with the party.
Ali had earlier been a visible campaigner for YSRCP.
During the 2024 Assembly elections, he took part in extensive campaigning, particularly in constituencies with a strong minority voter base, working to bolster the prospects of party candidates.
However, following YSRCP’s defeat in the polls, Ali abruptly withdrew from politics, distancing himself not just from the party but from public political life altogether.
He returned to the film industry and has since avoided political events and platforms.
The latest meeting with Vamsi — who has recovered from illness after being released on bail — has thus gained prominence.
Sources close to both leaders, however, downplayed any political significance, saying it was merely a courtesy visit.
Insiders note that Vamsi too has roots in the film industry, and his earlier association with YSRCP created a friendly rapport with Ali. Their meeting, they say, was simply a reflection of that personal connection.
Still, with the 2029 elections a few years away, political observers speculate that Ali could once again take on an active role in YSRCP’s outreach efforts.
“There’s nothing to confirm yet, but his return to the public political space cannot be ruled out,” one source commented.
