However, it is highly unlikely that this status will be granted. This means Jagan may skip the Assembly for the rest of the term. Other YSR Congress MLAs are also not attending.
Boycotting the Assembly is not new in Indian politics. But in the past, such decisions have been driven by strong emotional reasons.
In 1989, Jayalalithaa was insulted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. DMK MLAs allegedly pulled her saree, tore it, and assaulted her. She boycotted the House and vowed to return only as Chief Minister, which she did in 1991.
In 1993, Jammalamadugu MLA P Siva Reddy was murdered by Congress faction rivals. In protest, Opposition TDP MLAs staged a dharna at the Speaker's podium. The Speaker suspended all TDP MLAs, including N T Ramarao, who was not part of the protest. Feeling insulted, NTR boycotted the Assembly and returned in 1994 as Chief Minister.
That election saw such a massive wave that even Congress was denied Opposition status.
The most recent example is Chandrababu Naidu in 2021. After his wife Bhuvaneswari was insulted in the House, Naidu vowed not to return unless re-elected as CM. He returned in 2024 as Chief Minister, reducing YSR Congress from 151 seats to just eleven.
All these boycotts had deep emotional reasons. Public sentiment was with the leaders who took such bold stands.
But Jagan Mohan Reddy's reason appears different. It seems more like an ego issue. While Naidu allowed TDP MLAs to attend sessions, Jagan has barred his MLAs as well.
Reports say some YSR Congress MLAs are quietly signing the attendance register to claim salaries and avoid disqualification.
This approach is unlikely to gain public support. Voters may not favour a leader who neglects Assembly duties without a compelling reason.
Tags: EditorialYS Jagan
Sridhar RaaviSridhar is a highly experienced hand in Telugu politics, writing and analyzing political happenings in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. An IT engineer turned news junkie, Sridhar has a sharp eye for catching news as it unfo…