YS Jaganmohan Reddy is the founder of YSR Congress Party, the main opposition in the Andhra Pradesh assembly.
Born to former chief minister YS Rajashekara Reddy on December 21, 1972, YS Jaganmohan Reddy entered Congress party after his father became chief minister for the first time in 2004.
In 2009, when the state went for general elections, Jagan contested for the Lok Sabha seat from Kadapa constituency with and won with an overwhelming majority. After sudden demise of his father, Jagan was unhappy with Congress. Subsequently, he resigned from Congress party along with his mother YS Vijayamma.
Jagan formed YSR (Yuvajana Sramika Raithu) party, which coincides with the initials of his father YSR. The sympathy wave and developmental programmes taken up by YSR between 2004 and 2009 gave decent political mileage to YSR as his party emerged as a strong alternative to Congress and TDP.
However, he apparently faced corruption charges and was sent to judicial remand for 16 months. He is currently the opposition leader in AP assembly and fights on farmers’ issues. Jaganmohan Reddy displayed placards in Lok Sabha against the formation of Telangana state and categorically demanded that both the regions—Seemandhra and Telangana be done justice.
Jagan’s odarpu yatra (condolence tour) to extend solidarity to YSR’s admirers post his demise received thumping response. YSRCP is regarded as the only alternative to ruling TDP in Andhra Pradesh.
