Former PCC Chief Sake Sailajanath joins YSRCP, slams NDA government

Tadepalli: Former PCC President and ex-minister Sake Sailajanath has joined the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in the presence of party president and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. At a gathering at the YSRCP camp office in Tadepalli on Friday, Jagan welcomed Sailajanath by draping him with a party kanduva. Along with him, AICC member and former Anantapur DCC president Pratap Reddy also joined the party. Several senior YSRCP leaders, including MP Peddireddy Mithun Reddy, Ananth Venkatrami Reddy, and Vempalli Satish Reddy, attended the event.

Criticism of NDA government’s policies

Sailajanath stated that he decided to join the YSRCP to oppose the “anti-people policies” of the NDA government. He alleged that the coalition government had failed to implement its “Super Six” promises and accused it of undermining government medical colleges, making medical education inaccessible to the poor. He also criticized the rollback of education reforms introduced by Jagan Mohan Reddy’s previous administration.

“The welfare of the people has been completely ignored, and the hardships of Rayalaseema’s farmers are not even being acknowledged,” Sailajanath said. He vowed to fight against the current government with the support of senior YSRCP leaders.

YSRCP leaders welcome new joinees

Senior YSRCP leader Ananth Venkatrami Reddy welcomed Sailajanath into the party, stating that many political figures are shifting to YSRCP due to dissatisfaction with the coalition government.

“There is a growing debate over the state government’s stance. Chandrababu Naidu’s claim of bringing Krishna water to Rayalaseema is false. He laid the foundation stone in 1996 but abandoned the project. It was YS Rajasekhar Reddy who ensured water reached Rayalaseema. Jagan continued to develop the region, but the current government is once again neglecting it,” he asserted.

Political journey of Sailajanath

Sake Sailajanath was elected as an MLA from the Singanamala constituency in Anantapur district in 2004 and 2009 on a Congress ticket. He served as Minister for School Education and Legislative Affairs before becoming the president of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee. Known for his advocacy on Dalit issues, he played an active role in addressing key concerns affecting marginalized communities.

With his induction into the YSRCP, Sailajanath aims to strengthen the party’s fight against the ruling government, reinforcing YSRCP’s position ahead of upcoming political challenges.