The YSR Congress party, which once had a very strong presence in Prakasam district, is virtually facing a bankruptcy of leadership due to the exit of heavyweight leaders, internal groupism, and a visible absence of strong district-level command.
Following the humiliating defeat in the 2024 elections, the party has not only weakened but is also lacking a structural leadership crisis that continues to haunt the cadre.
In the 2019 elections, the YSRCP, under the leadership of Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, secured a sweeping mandate in Prakasam district.
The party won eight out of the 12 assembly seats and captured the Ongole Lok Sabha constituency, polling an impressive 52.3% vote share.
In the 2024 elections, the YSRCP managed to win just two assembly seats in the district and lost the Ongole Lok Sabha seat.
The party’s vote share fell sharply to 43%, reflecting both electoral erosion and organisational fatigue.
Former minister and senior leader Balineni Srinivasa Reddy quit the YSRCP and joined the Jana Sena Party, delivering a major blow to the party’s traditional support base.
Similarly, former Ongole MP Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy switched allegiance to the Telugu Desam Party before the elections. Contesting on a TDP ticket, he went on to win, symbolising the political shift in the district.
The leadership vacuum became more visible after 2024. Jagan’s close aide Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, who was fielded in the Ongole Lok Sabha election, suffered defeat and has since remained politically inactive in the district.
Y V Subba Reddy, a close relative of Balineni and former regional coordinator for Prakasam, has reportedly kept a low profile and is no longer actively steering party affairs.
At present, only Tatiparthi Chandrasekhar is making his presence felt through periodic press conferences and visits to the party office. However, party insiders admit that ground-level mobilisation is virtually absent.
“There are press meets, but no cadre movement,” a local party functionary observed, reflecting the disconnect between the leadership and grassroots workers.
Several MLAs from the region had reportedly conveyed dissatisfaction over the alleged neglect of Prakasam district in developmental prioritisation.
The perception of centralised decision-making without adequate regional consultation further widened cracks within the local unit.
Following the post-election turbulence, the party appointed Buchepalli Siva Prasad Reddy as the new YSRCP district president in an attempt to stabilise the organisation.
The move is seen as an effort to rebuild the party structure from scratch. However, political observers note that replacing leaders is easier than rebuilding trust and cadre morale.
While there are indications that some leaders who distanced themselves may reconsider returning, the absence of a charismatic and unifying district-level face continues to hamper revival efforts.
