An increasing number of leaders are parting ways with the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, apparently realizing that their political future may not be promising within the party.
On Friday, YSRCP leader and former IAS officer A. Md. Imtiaz announced his resignation from the party. He stated that he has decided to step away from active politics, as he no longer feels it appropriate to continue.
Sources revealed that Imtiaz, who unsuccessfully contested as the YSRCP candidate from Kurnool in the last elections, has been feeling isolated within the party despite being made in-charge of the constituency. As a newcomer to politics, he struggled to build rapport with other YSRCP leaders.
In March of this year, Imtiaz took voluntary retirement from the IAS and joined the YSRCP within a day, in the presence of Jagan Mohan Reddy.
At the time, he expressed his admiration for Jagan’s welfare agenda and his desire to serve the poor through politics.
Subsequently, Jagan entrusted him with the party ticket for the Kurnool City segment in the last assembly elections, but he suffered a significant defeat.
Since his loss, Imtiaz has largely remained inactive in party programs.
“He may take a break for a few months before deciding on his next course of action in politics,” sources added.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that another senior YSRCP leader and former Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Taneti Vanitha is also contemplating leaving the party. Speculations indicate that she may join the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Until recently, Vanitha had been vocal on social media, strongly defending Jagan and criticizing the TDP. However, for reasons unknown, she is now reportedly preparing to quit the YSRCP.
Vanitha has a history with the TDP. Her father, Jonnakuti Babaji Rao, was elected as a TDP MLA from the Gopalapuram constituency in 1994 and 1999.
Vanitha entered politics as his successor and won as an MLA from Gopalapuram in 2009. However, she left the TDP in 2012, opposing its decision to support the state's bifurcation.
She later joined the YSRCP and won the 2019 assembly elections from the Kovvur constituency.
Vanitha was initially appointed as the Minister for Women Development and Child Welfare and, following a cabinet reshuffle in 2022, retained in the cabinet as the Home Minister.
During the 2024 elections, Vanitha was moved back to Gopalapuram, against her wishes. She contested from the constituency but suffered a significant defeat, leaving her political future uncertain, sources stated.