With two MPs resigning, an MLC rumored to be leaving, and more departures expected, the once-mighty YCP is facing a crisis, but critics are overestimating the situation.
Many are unnecessarily lamenting that even Roja has left, and now the very survival of Jagan's party seems in question. These whispers are getting louder and leading to false conclusions.
Political dynamics aren't unique to Andhra Pradesh or Telangana. Opportunism, self-interest, and defections are common in politics.
Parties rarely disappear completely. Jagan's defeat was a rude shock, particularly given the unexpectedly low number of seats. But that doesn't mean his game is over. His loyal voter base is a force that cannot be easily dismissed.
Jagan is known for his strong belief that people will bring him back, and he is not one to abandon the battlefield.
In the last election, alliances shifted until the final hour, leaving voters guessing which party candidates belonged to. As a result, voting occurred based not on the candidates' personal appeal or achievements but rather on the party's image.
There is no other leader strong enough to compete with Chandrababu and Jagan Mohan Reddy as a third alternative. When the time comes, many leaders will still rally to his banner. Politics is a volatile field, and Jagan knows it well.
When the TDP lost power in 2019, its MPs jumped to the BJP. Many assumed that the TDP could not revive, but it came back with a resounding victory, winning 164 seats. That's the unpredictability of politics. No party can be completely written off unless the party head merges it with another or shuts it down.
Remember when Chiranjeevi’s PRP merged with Congress? If Chiranjeevi had held firm, he might have carved out a significant role in AP politics today. Parties don't vanish because of defections.
It's only time and circumstances that change the political landscape. People vote against incumbents whenever they feel like it. It's hard to hold their loyalty forever.
So, the bottom line is that Jagan Mohan Reddy's game is not over. He can be a game changer when the time is in his favor.