YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has shifted his base to Bengaluru after his election defeat. He reportedly fears surveillance from agencies in Andhra Pradesh and feels unsafe in Hyderabad due to the Revanth Reddy government being TDP-friendly in Telangana.
Jagan also skipped Assembly sessions, citing the denial of Opposition status. Recently, he said his MLAs would resign and face by-elections if the government pushed for disqualification. He demanded guaranteed speaking time in the Assembly, similar to an Opposition leader.
Despite this, Jagan did not wait for the government's response and flew back to Bengaluru. This marks his 51st trip to the city since the 2024 elections. He appears unwilling to risk political setbacks in Andhra Pradesh for now.
Analysts believe by-elections will only benefit the ruling party, which enjoys official support. Even if YSR Congress performs well, it can barely improve from its eleven seats. MLAs may face financial strain and difficulties mobilising cadres within two years of elections.
For the four reserved category MLAs, the challenge is even greater. Local leaders may also hesitate to fight against the ruling party machinery. Political observers suggest that Jagan's talk of mass resignations is more a pressure tactic than a practical strategy.