Former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is currently navigating the most difficult phase of his political career. Since the 2024 debacle, Jagan’s strategy to regain ground has been largely ineffective, as he remains confined to his residence in Tadepalli while the ruling alliance moves forward with global investments and development projects.

The Desk-Job Protest:
His latest move—a 10-million signature campaign against the privatization of medical colleges—is being viewed as a 'desk-job' protest. Unlike his past 'Padayatras,' Jagan’s current reluctance to hit the streets is causing immense frustration among his cadre. The common sentiment within the YSRCP is that a leader cannot win battles through social media and paperwork alone. His absence from the grassroots is making it easier for the TDP-JSP-BJP alliance to dominate the political narrative.

Leadership Crisis & Defections:
The exodus from YSRCP continues unabated. Senior leaders and influential BC politicians are deserting the party, citing Jagan’s inaccessibility and 'arrogant' leadership style. By choosing not to engage with disgruntled leaders or visit arrested social media activists, Jagan is losing the loyalty of his remaining cadre. His 'palace politics' is proving to be a disaster for the party's structural integrity.

The Assembly Boycott:
By boycotting the Assembly, Jagan has surrendered his only effective platform to challenge the government. This decision has allowed Chandrababu Naidu and Nara Lokesh to project their vision without opposition, making Jagan appear politically irrelevant in the eyes of the public. Instead of being a fighting opposition leader, he is increasingly being seen as a leader who has given up.

Bottom Line:
While the alliance government is busy with 'Wealth Creation' through giants like Google, Jagan is struggling for relevance. His victim card and desk-based protests are no match for the developmental push of the Naidu administration. Without a massive public outreach program, Jagan and his party face a total eclipse in the upcoming 2026 local body elections.