Sources say Ambati Rayudu will campaign for the YSRCP, focusing on engagement with the Kapu community, to which he and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan belong.
Ambati Rayudu being welcomed into the YSRCP by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. (Supplied)
Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu joined the YSRCP in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Amaravati.
Rayudu, who retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL) in May while playing for the Chennai Super Kings, began his political innings on Thursday, 28 December.
Sources said Rayudu was gearing up to campaign for the YSRCP in the upcoming 2024 elections in Andhra Pradesh.
They added that he was expected to focus on engaging with the youth and the Kapu community, to which he belongs.
Notably, actor-turned-politician and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, who has allied with TDP, also belongs to that community.
సీఎం క్యాంప్ కార్యాలయంలో ముఖ్యమంత్రి శ్రీ వైఎస్ జగన్ సమక్షంలో వైఎస్సార్ కాంగ్రెస్ పార్టీలో చేరిన ప్రముఖ భారత క్రికెటర్ అంబటి తిరుపతి రాయుడు.
ఈ కార్యక్రమంలో పాల్గొన్న డిప్యూటీ సీఎం నారాయణ స్వామి, ఎంపీ పెద్దిరెడ్డి మిథున్ రెడ్డి.#CMYSJagan#AndhraPradesh @RayuduAmbati pic.twitter.com/QJJk07geHL
— YSR Congress Party (@YSRCParty) December 28, 2023
After not being selected for the 2019 World Cup team and expressing discontent over the selectors favouring all-rounder Vijay Shankar, Rayudu initially announced his retirement from all formats.
However, he later reversed this decision and continued playing in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.
On 28 May, Rayudu announced his retirement following CSK’s victory in the finals against the Gujarat Titans, stating that there would be no U-turns this time.
— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) May 30, 2023
Rayudu may have officially joined the YSRCP on Thursday, but he had already begun participating in political activities before his IPL retirement.
He reposted a video praising Jagan and taking a dig at the TDP and the Jana Sena, highlighting the public’s trust in Jagan.
Great speech ..our chief minister@ysjagan garu.. everyone in the state has complete belief and trust in you sir.. https://t.co/gw4s1ek1LR
— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) April 19, 2023
On 11 May, Rayudu met Jagan in Amaravati and they both reportedly expressed mutual interest in working together.
Rayudu further pledged to be available after his retirement in Guntur — his hometown — and toured the region, meeting people and supporting the YSRCP’s welfare schemes.
He actively campaigned for Aadudam Andhra, a 47-day sports campaign initiated by the YSRCP government on 26 December.
With his official entry into the party, sources suggest that Rayudu is interested in being nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
However, the party is also considering him for key segments in Lok Sabha elections — like Guntur, Machilipatnam, and Vijayawada.
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