Asked if he would join the BJP, Vijayasai Reddy denying the claims, claimed, "In my long political career, I have never lied. As a person who follows Hindu Dharma and as a devotee of Lord Venkateshwara, I never lie."
Published Jan 25, 2025 | 2:44 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 25, 2025 | 2:44 PM
Vijayasai Reddy sumbits his resignation as Rajya Sabha MP. (X)
YSRCP leader on Saturday, 25 January speaking to the media after submitting his resignation as Rajya Sabha MP to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, noted that, even if 1,000 people like him leave the party, the party supremo, YS Jagan’s popularity will remain intact.
The move comes a day after the leader declared on Friday, 24 January, that he was retiring from politics.
On X, Vijayasai Reddy announced the same with special thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The announcement comes amidst an ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into his role in the Kakinada sea port case.
Speaking to the media about Jagan, Reddy said, “YSRCP in 2019 elections secured 151 seats, and in the 2024 elections, it secured 40 percent voting share. Jagan Mohan Reddy is a leader who enjoys immense popularity, even if 1,000 people like me leave the party, his popularity won’t decrease.”
Further answering a question from a reporter if he had informed YS Jagan about the resignation, Reddy said, “After deciding to quit politics for personal reasons, I had spoken to him on the phone, as he was in London. I had explained to him everything, and only then did I submit the resignation.”
Asked if he would join the BJP, Reddy denying the claims, claimed, “In my long political career, I have never lied. As a person who follows Hindu Dharma and as a devotee of Lord Venkateshwara, I never lie.”
Clarifying that he has no differences with YS Jagan and his family, Reddy said, “Since 40 years, and three generations, I have had close relations with the YSR family. In this lifetime, there won’t be any differences with their family, there were never any in the past, nor will there be any in the future.”
Further speaking about Jagan, he said, “I don’t know about any of their finances or businesses.”
Asked if he resigned so that the cases against him would be closed, Reddy questioned, “If I quit politics I will be weak, rather than strong, in this scenario, why will anyone close the cases on me if I resign?”
He further reiterated, “The situations when I joined politics are very different from today, in the current situation, as a Rajya Sabha member, and as a party general secretary, I am unable to do justice to neither state nor party. With the same thought I have resigned as if someone better than me enters Rajya Sabha, they will be able to help the state and its people.”
“Everyone knows that, with my resignation, NDA coalition with benefit and not YSRCP. Will NDA send someone from BJP, TDP, or Janasena is up to them,” he added.
In a detailed post on X, the two-time Rajya Sabha member 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 YS 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.”
Reddy’s decision to quit comes just weeks after the Enforcement Directorate summoned him to their Hyderabad office on January 6 in connection with his alleged role in forcing stakeholders of Kakinada Sea Ports Limited (KSPL) to sell their shares at low prices. The Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department’s FIR names him as a central figure in the case, citing allegations from complainant Venkateswara Rao. The investigation is ongoing.
The current chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, also said he would not join any other political party and that he would focus on agriculture going forward.
(Edited by sumavarsha)
