Interview: No truck with BJP, YSRCP will fight polls alone, says Vijay Sai Reddy

Hyderabad: Putting all speculations to rest, YSRCP National General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Sai Reddy said he is not quitting or distancing from the party.

Apart from leading the party at the national level, he is the Incharge of 24 affiliated wings of the party in the state. He has activated all the affiliated wings and is planning to go on a campaign trial for the next few months.

In an exclusive interview with NewsMeter, Vijay Sai Reddy shared his views on Andhra's political scenario, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) third front, and the relation between the YSRCP and the BJP at the center.

Andhra Politics

Asked about his thoughts on the general election in 2024 and his role in the party, Vijay Sai Reddy expressed confidence that YSRCP will form the government again in 2024.

He said YSRCP will go alone without any alliance. He said even if BJP-TDP-JSP unite, YSRCP will still improve on its earlier vote share of 49.5%.

On the upcoming election campaign and his affiliated wings, Vijay Sai Reddy said he is all set to launch Minority Sabha in Kurnool on July 23 with a strength of 1 lakh Muslim community supporters. Further, on August 8, ST Mahasabha will be held. By August end, SC Mahasabha is also scheduled.

Asked about TDP's mini-manifesto, Vijay Sai Reddy said Chandrababu Naidu has released a "Mayafesto" (Illusory promises) that is far away from reality. Unlike Naidu, Jagan Mohan Reddy's 2.0 government will not have any false promises since they have already fulfilled 98% of their poll promises.

YSRCP manifesto will be welfare and development centric. The manifesto is expected to be released couple of months before the election.

On opposition allegations about YSRCP government welfare schemes, Vijay Sai Reddy said the poor and other weaker section are their priority. They need food, clothing, education, health, and housing. YSRCP is addressing all of these needs. He said they are focused on ensuring that these needs are met irrespective of caste, creed, or religion.

KCR's Third Front:

On chances of YSRCP supporting KCR's third front, Vijay Sai Reddy said that BRS has not reached out to the YSRCP. Jagan will take a call on it if they reach out.

On pending issues between Telangana and Andhra, he said multiple meetings between the officials of the two states have been held. He hoped that they will be able to resolve the issues.

Relation with the BJP

Vijay Sai Reddy told that the Central government has cooperated with the state government, be it by releasing Polavaram funds or funding for central-sponsored schemes. To extend gratitude, Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is meeting the central leadership and seeking more support on other pending issues.

On the relationship with BJP at the Centre, Vijay Sai Reddy clarified that governance is different from party inclination. He said they have good relations with BJP at the central level in terms of governance, but that does not mean they will ally with BJP. For the interest of the state, they are working with BJP and this has nothing to do with YSRCP’s truck with BJP.

On Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks, Vijay Sai Reddy said that his comments are political and far from reality. On Special Category Status, he said it is a promise made by the then Congress government on the floor of the Rajya Sabha.

Jagan also reminds BJP central leadership whenever he meets them. However, the Centre is referring to the package which was compromised by TDP. YSRCP is committed to seeking Special Category status.

On the controversial UCC and Delhi amendment bill, Vijay Sai Reddy said neither BJP nor AAP has reached out to YSRCP on these bills. He said that the party leadership will soon take a call on it.

This is his first interview since he put an end to the speculation that he was distancing himself from the party.