The development marks the latest blow to the party led by former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, which has been marred by a steady trickle of leaders, including MLAs and local functionaries, since its shock defeat at the 2024 general elections.
Published Sep 19, 2025 | 9:14 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 19, 2025 | 9:14 PM
(LTR) Marri Rajasekhar, Karri Padmasri and Balli Kalyan Chakravarthy
Synopsis: Three Andhra Pradesh MLCs, formerly of the YSRCP, formally joined the ruling TDP on 19 September in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The trio, Balli Kalyan Chakravarthy, Karri Padmasri and Marri Rajasekhar, had resigned from YSRCP and the Legislative Council, though their resignations are yet to be accepted, allowing them to retain their seats. Their induction marginally strengthens the TDP in the 58-member Council, while dealing a blow to the Jagan Mohan Reddy party.
In a major setback to the opposition Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh, three MLCs formally joined the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday evening, 19 September, in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Balli Kalyan Chakravarthy, Karri Padmasri, and Marri Rajasekhar had earlier resigned from YSRCP and the Legislative Council, though their resignations have not yet been accepted by the Council Chairman, allowing the MLCs to retain their seats.
The development marks the latest blow to the party led by former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, marred by a steady trickle of leaders, including MLAs and local functionaries.
The induction ceremony, held at Naidu’s residence in Undavalli near Vijayawada, was a low-key yet symbolic event attended by senior TDP leaders. Naidu personally welcomed the trio by draping yellow party scarves around their shoulders and shaking hands with them.
“We welcome all those who commit themselves to the people’s welfare,” Naidu said in a brief address.
Balli Kalyan Chakravarthy cited his inability to adjust to the party’s current course as the reason for his defection. Karri Padmasri echoed similar sentiments, pointing to “internal conflicts and a lack of momentum in the party in the right direction.”
Marri Rajasekhar, who had submitted his resignation from YSRCP as far back as March 2025 amidst reports of unfulfilled promises and lack of recognition, was the most forthright.
The formal entry of these three leaders into TDP marginally strengthens the ruling party’s position in the upper house.
Of the 58-member Council, YSRCP still holds 32 seats. TDP’s tally has risen from 10 to 12, as one of the three defectors, Karri Padmasri, is a nominated member. Jana Sena holds two seats and BJP one.
For Jagan Mohan Reddy, the defections represent both a growing embarrassment and a direct challenge to his leadership. He has yet to issue a public response, though sources close to him described the developments as “jarring.”
The pressure on Jagan Mohan Reddy is mounting to unify his fractured party, which was a dominant force in the state between 2019 and 2024, possibly through aggressive counter-campaigns or legal challenges to the defections.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
