The YSR Congress Party , led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, has announced that it will support the National Democratic Alliance’s candidate C. P. Radhakrishnan in the upcoming vice-presidential election.
YSRCP parliamentary party leader YV Subba Reddy confirmed that the decision was taken by Jagan Mohan Reddy and that all party MPs would vote in favour of the NDA nominee. With seven MPs in the Rajya Sabha and four in the Lok Sabha, YSRCP’s backing gives the ruling alliance a clear boost.
The move is significant because YSRCP is not formally part of the NDA or the INDIA bloc, but has often taken issue-based decisions. By supporting Radhakrishnan, the party signals its willingness to cooperate with the Centre, a step that could help Andhra Pradesh in gaining development projects and support from the Union government.
Radhakrishnan, a senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, filed his nomination papers in Delhi on August 21, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his first proposer. His candidature reflects the NDA’s attempt to consolidate southern support.
On the other side, the Opposition’s INDIA bloc has fielded former Supreme Court judge B. Sudarshan Reddy from Telangana. This has turned the contest into a southern face-off, with both candidates representing the region in different ways. While the Opposition hoped Sudarshan Reddy would draw Telugu support, YSRCP dismissed the idea of backing him only because he is from undivided Andhra Pradesh. Party leaders stressed that the vice-president’s post is a national responsibility, not a regional one.
Political observers believe YSRCP’s move strengthens the NDA’s chances and adds to its parliamentary momentum. It also reflects Jagan Mohan Reddy’s strategy of keeping ties open with the ruling alliance while remaining technically independent.
With voting scheduled for September 9, the contest is expected to favour the NDA, especially with regional players like YSRCP and TDP extending support. The decision once again highlights the crucial role of regional parties in shaping national politics.
