The stage is all set, sources say, for Vijaysai Reddy to formally align with the BJP – pending the approval of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo, Chandrababu Naidu.
Published Apr 21, 2025 | 3:53 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 21, 2025 | 3:53 PM
Vijaysai Reddy quit the YSRCP and resigned from his Rajya Sabha seat earlier this year.
Synopsis: Vijaysai Reddy, once a close confidant of YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, is poised to join the BJP, pending approval from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. His impending return to active politics comes months after resigning from the Rajya Sabha and distancing himself from the YSRCP amidst ongoing ED and SIT scrutiny.
For years, he was seen as Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) chief Jagan Mohan Reddy’s trusted aide. But in January this year, Vijaysai Reddy resigned from the Rajya Sabha and announced his exit from politics.
Months down the line, he appears ready to make a political comeback – but this time with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The stage is all set, sources say, for Vijaysai Reddy to formally align with the BJP.
There is, however, one hiccup – the approval of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo, Chandrababu Naidu.
The TDP is heading the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Andhra Pradesh, of which the BJP, along with Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party, are junior partners.
“He is all set to join the BJP. The saffron party too is quite keen on welcoming him. But all of that is subject to Chandrababu Naidu’s nod. The BJP does not want Vijaysai Reddy’s joining to become an irritant in the important alliance with the TDP,” a source close to Vijaysai Reddy told South First.
“All that is pending is a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Naidu.”
Also Read: Andhra liquor scam: Former YSRCP MP Vijayasai Reddy appears before SIT
Under the Enforcement Directorate scanner over the Kakinada Port case and under investigation by the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department’s Special Investigation Team for an alleged liquor scam during the YSRCP regime, Vijaysai Reddy quit active politics, distanced himself from Jagan Mohan Reddy and the YSRCP, and resigned from his Rajya Sabha seat.
South First had earlier reported on his plans to align with the BJP later and lobby for a Governor’s post, while allowing the Rajya Sabha seat to go to the NDA in Andhra Pradesh.
Interestingly, in his announcement exiting politics, he had profusely thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
From the day of his announcement to exit politics in January this year, Reddy has been dropping hints. In March this year, he claimed that he left YSRCP due to a coterie around Jagan Mohan Reddy, which blocked constructive advice.
In a statement announcing his political exit, Reddy said:
“I will not resign in the hope of another position, benefits, or money. This decision is completely my personal one. There was no pressure. No one influenced me. I am indebted to the Y S family, who have believed in and supported me for four decades and three generations… am forever grateful to Jagan garu for giving me the opportunity to be a Rajya Sabha member twice, and to Bharatamma garu for taking me to such a high level. I wish Jagan garu all the best.”
While sources confirm Reddy’s interest in joining the BJP, they say he is not in contention for the Rajya Sabha seat he vacated.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
