Is another new political party set to enter Andhra Pradesh’s political landscape? Former MP Vijayasai Reddy suggests the answer is yes. Addressing a media conference in Vijayawada today, he offered clarity on his plans to form a new political party, asserting that the state needs a new force to fight for people’s issues. He alleged that for the past 15 years, Andhra Pradesh politics has revolved primarily around the TDP and YSRCP, with the public caught between the two, accusing both parties of practising factional politics. Describing the TDP as the “Red Book Party” and the YSRCP as the “Rappa Rappa Party,” Reddy said the state needs an alternative political force that makes people’s issues its central agenda, rather than parties like these.
Vijaysai Reddy launched a scathing attack on both the TDP and YSRCP, mocking them for having done nothing for Andhra Pradesh. He remarked that it was unfortunate that the police were acting in favour of the ruling party, stressing that institutions in a democracy must function impartially. He questioned whether the state should always be ruled by just two castes — Kamma and Reddy. He made clear that he himself would not be the Chief Ministerial candidate of the new party he intends to found, saying anyone capable within the party could become CM, and that he would play a mentor-like role similar to the one Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray played in Maharashtra politics.
At the same time, he clarified he was not opposed to Amaravati as the capital, saying that having spent so much already, talk of a different capital was not feasible. He declared that Gen Z would be given major importance in his party, with 66 percent of seats reserved for them, adding that only deserving individuals would be given prominence, that he himself would stay in the background offering advice rather than holding any direct position, and that those with patriotism would be given priority in the new party.
He also revealed that he had written a book last year covering how the Reddy community originated and how it separated from the Kapu community, which he said would be released soon. He announced plans to hold three more media conferences in Anantapur, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam to explain the party’s policies to the state, with five key points to be announced at each conference, all of which would eventually be incorporated into the election manifesto. Reddy also expressed concern over the state’s financial situation, alleging that expenditure in Andhra Pradesh had risen disproportionately compared to income, and that essential commodity prices had skyrocketed, saying his party would specifically focus on how to bring down prices. He said that whether one likes it or not, Amaravati must be recognised as the capital, and called for everyone to work together to bring investments to the state.