It has been just over a year since the YSR Congress Party, led by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, lost power to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition headed by current Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
With four more years to go until the next assembly elections, Jagan has a long road ahead if he hopes to return to power by defeating the TDP–Jana Sena–BJP alliance.
Achieving this would require careful strategy, extensive groundwork, and an aggressive campaign over the next few years.
Typically, a leader who has lost an election would focus on introspection and strategic planning rather than confidently assuming a return to power.
While such a leader might put on a brave face in public, they would privately analyze the reasons for their defeat and work on overcoming weaknesses.
But Jagan appears to be an exception. Party leaders close to him are reportedly surprised at his unshaken confidence in defeating the TDP-led coalition and returning to power in 2029.
Even in informal, off-the-record conversations, he doesn’t appear to carry the demeanor of a defeated leader.
“Jagan is already talking as if he will be the Chief Minister again, discussing how to implement welfare schemes once he's back in power. We don’t understand where this confidence is coming from,” a YSRCP leader remarked.
Sources suggest that Jagan's confidence is rooted in periodic internal surveys he commissions. The latest feedback reportedly indicates that public dissatisfaction with the Naidu government is rising steadily.
According to a recent survey report accessed by Jagan, if assembly elections were held now, the YSRCP would win approximately 52 seats. The report also notes that the party has made notable gains in North Andhra, Prakasam, Nellore, and several districts in Rayalaseema.
“If this trend continues over the next three years, Jagan believes the seat count could go up to 150. That appears to be the basis of his confidence,” the source added.
