The saying goes, “First win at home before you go to conquer the world,” But looking at the state of Andhra Pradesh's opposition YSRCP, the party itself seems to be in disarray. As the opposition, they should be aggressively raising public issues, but nothing of that is visible. The same leaders who once boasted loudly to the media and proclaimed themselves as brave and wise while in power, are now nowhere to be seen or heard. Those who were once vocal are now busy with their own businesses, staying away from party programmes and, for that matter, even their own constituencies.

Now is the time to rebuild, re-energise the cadre, and reignite the ranks. Yet, the current state of YSRCP suggests otherwise.

While the party president remains largely confined to Bengaluru, other leaders act as if they have done nothing wrong. Unless the chief calls a meeting and summons them, they barely acknowledge their affiliation with the party. It seems as if they have long lost the spirit to raise their voices on public issues as an opposition.

10 months have passed...where is the fight?

It is clear to see that party chief Jaganmohan Reddy must change his approach. He must intensify the attack on the coalition government.

Jagan needs to step out of the defeatist mindset and engage with the people – this has been a consistent criticism against him. While Jagan has shown some movement lately, the same cannot be said for other leaders. Even when Jagan holds meetings and lectures, leaders barely respond. Currently, they seem preoccupied with their own troubles – fearful of potential legal summons – and have abandoned the zeal to expose the coalition government’s failures.

No one is exempt from this lethargy. Leaders like Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, who once acted as the party’s backbone in power, are now invisible. Past firebrands like Kodali Nani, Perni Nani, Roja, Ambati Rambabu, and other North Andhra leaders have fallen silent. Kodali Nani is reportedly under medical treatment, Perni Nani only speaks about cases against him and his wife, Roja occasionally speaks up but lacks her earlier aggression, and Ambati Rambabu has limited himself to press meets on select issues like the Polavaram dispute or cases against Posani.

Apart from Jagan, the ten YSRCP MLAs who won also remain inactive. They have not even been given a chance to raise public issues in the assembly. While they boycott sessions under the guise of fighting for opposition status, there’s no effort to address the concerns of the voters who elected them.

On the ground

It’s been 10 months since the coalition government came to power. Despite their "Super Six" promises, most assurances remain unfulfilled. While they blame Jagan’s government for emptying the state treasury, key promises like "Talliki Vandanam," free bus rides for women, unemployment allowances, and Rythu Bharosa remain unimplemented.

This gives the opposition a strong weapon. Yet, YSRCP fails to capitalise. The ruling party continues to blame YSRCP's past governance, but the opposition lacks a strong counter.

Though they announced protests like District Collectorate sieges for youth issues, delays have diluted the impact.

A crisis of organisational strength

Whether in power or not, a party must maintain grassroots strength and keep cadre morale high. But YSRCP neglected its workers while in power, will they even respond now when called? Rebuilding party membership and committees from the ground up is crucial, but no such effort is visible.

The party had garnered 43% of the vote share. Two months ago, Jagan admitted his mistake in ignoring cadre welfare and promised to prioritise hardworking workers in the future. He vowed to tour each parliamentary constituency monthly, but action remains lacking. When the media reminded him, his response was, "Why the hurry?"  The issue is not just Jagan changing – his inner circle must too. The party’s revival depends on it.

Leaders slipping away

Many leaders who enjoyed power are now drifting to other parties. Some have already left, fearing political oblivion if they stay with YSRCP. The list of deserters is growing: Kilari Venkata Rosaiah, Maddali Giri, Sidda Raghavarao, ex-minister Alla Nani, Balineni, Samineni Udayabhanu, Grandhi Srinivas, Avanti Srinivas, and others.

Even Rajya Sabha members like Mopidevi Venkata Ramana, Beeda Mastan Rao, and R. Krishnaiah resigned from both their posts and the party. Vijay Sai Reddy, who once claimed to be the party’s backbone, also quit, announcing his exit from active politics. His parting shot was criticising Jagan for running a coterie-driven party.

Limited to condolences

Instead of launching agitations on state issues, Jagan limits himself to condolences. Whether it is the Tirupati stampede or a party worker’s death. Even when he holds meetings and lectures on values and trust, it yields little. YSRCP must learn from parties like TDP and BJP, which maintain organisational strength regardless of power. Regular reviews, constant public engagement, and fighting for issues are what secure a party’s future. For now, the refrain remains: "Our leader must change." But will YSRCP leaders realise that the change must begin with them?

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