YSR Cong floor leader to resign from RS

Even as Vijayasai Reddy, whose term would have normally ended in June 2028, claimed he would not join any other party and would take up agriculture, his “special thanks” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah stood out in his lengthy statement on X announcing his retirement.

The two-time Rajya Sabha member said he would formally resign from his parliamentary position tomorrow.

“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,” he wrote.

Reddy has been a key figure in Andhra Pradesh politics for nearly four decades, having served as an aide to both YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his father Rajashekhara Reddy while they were Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, as well as having been one of the founding members of the YSR Congress Party.

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.

Reddy, 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.

“Special thanks to Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for encouraging me for almost nine years, giving me immense strength and courage, and giving me recognition in the Telugu states. I might have had political differences with TDP, but there are no personal issues with Chandrababu ‘garu’ and his family. My friendship with Pawan Kalyan ‘garu’ is forever," he wrote.