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In a political jolt to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), Zakia Khanam, MLC and Deputy Chairperson of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, officially resigned from the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday. Her induction took place at the BJP’s state headquarters, where she was welcomed by party state president and Rajahmundry MP D Purandeswari, along with senior leaders including Health Minister Y Sathya Kumar Yadav.

Welcoming Khanam into the BJP fold, Purandeswari hailed her decision as a testament to the party’s expanding appeal and commitment to inclusive governance. “Khanam joining the BJP reflects a major shift and strengthens our commitment to inclusive leadership,” Purandeswari said, as per PTI, emphasising the party’s outreach to marginalized communities and minorities.

Setback To YSRCP 

Khanam’s exit adds to the mounting setbacks for YSRCP, which has seen a wave of resignations following its heavy defeat in the 2024 Assembly elections. The party’s strength in the 57-member Legislative Council has now been slightly reduced, although it continues to hold a majority with 31 members. In contrast, TDP has 10 seats, while BJP and Jana Sena have one each, and the Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) holds four, as per a report on IANS.

The exodus from YSRCP includes not only Khanam but also four Rajya Sabha MPs, among them senior leader and Jagan Mohan Reddy’s confidant Vijaya Sai Reddy, who resigned earlier this year.

It is reported that the dissatisfaction with Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership and policy direction has been a recurring theme among the defectors. With the 2024 electoral rout—which reduced YSRCP’s Assembly tally from 151 to just 11 seats—many leaders have begun reassessing their political future, signaling a shifting landscape in Andhra Pradesh politics ahead of the next electoral cycle.