Kurnool MP S Sanjeev Kumar's departure from the ruling Yuvajan Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh adds to the growing list of leaders who have recently resigned from the party, marking another setback for the YSRCP. This development comes shortly after the resignation of former cricketer Ambati Rayudu, and there are indications that Kumar may align with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by Chandrababu Naidu.
The recent exit of Sanjeev Kumar follows reports of his removal as the party in-charge for the Kurnool Lok Sabha constituency by the YSRCP. In his media address in Vijayawada after quitting the party, Kumar cited alleged injustice towards leaders from backward classes within the YSRCP as the reason for his resignation. He emphasized that leaders from backward classes were not receiving adequate attention and priority within the party.
Kumar expressed concerns about the disparity between the positions given to leaders from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and the actual influence and significance attached to their voices within the YSRCP. According to him, while positions were being assigned, there was a lack of real power and value for their opinions.
Earlier in the week, Ambati Rayudu, the former Indian cricketer, also resigned from the YSRCP merely eight days after joining. Although there were speculations about Rayudu leaving due to not securing a specific Lok Sabha seat, he clarified that his decision was related to taking a break from politics, attributing it to his commitment to franchise MI Emirates in the UAE's ILT20 cricket tournament.
The YSRCP has faced a series of resignations by prominent leaders recently, posing challenges for the party as it approaches the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Kapu Ramachandra Reddy's decision to part ways with the party after being denied a ticket added to the growing list of departures. Additionally, TDP Lok Sabha MP Kesineni Srinivas and her daughter Kesineni Swetha also quit the party, with Srinivas citing dissatisfaction with Chandrababu's leadership as a primary reason for his departure.
