In what is being seen as a rude shock to the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), MLC and Deputy Chairperson of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, Mayana Zakia Khanam on Wednesday quit the party and joined the BJP.
While her move surprised many in the YSRCP, the Andhra BJP unit was present in full strength to welcome Khanam to the party, including state president and Rajahmundry MP Daggubati Purandeswari, state Health Minister and BJP MLA Y Satya Kumar, and other party leaders.
Claiming that Khanam joined the BJP as she was inspired by the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Purandeswari reiterated the BJP slogan of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”. “We deliver welfare beyond caste and religion and focus on the underprivileged and marginalised sections. Khanam’s induction reflects a major shift and strengthens our commitment to inclusive leadership, while signaling a growing trust for the party among minorities,” she said.
Seen as a popular Muslim face of the YSRCP, Khanam joins a list of high-profile leaders who have quit the party following the drubbing received by it in last year’s simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, where it was reduced to four and 11 seats respectively.
Since its defeat, the YSRCP has been stung by the exits of several leaders, including Jagan’s long-time aide and former Rajya Sabha MP V Vijayasai Reddy, and Rajya Sabha MPs Mopidevi Venkataramana, Beedha Mastan Rao and R Krishnaiah. While Rao is now a TDP Rajya Sabha MP, Krishnaiah was nominated to the Upper House by the BJP.
Khanam had become the first Muslim wwoman member of the Andhra Legislative Council in July 2020. She was nominated by then Governor Biswabhushan Harichandran under the Governor’s quota. In November 2021, she was elevated to the post of Deputy Chairperson.
Khanam’s resignation further reduces the YSRCP’s tally in the 58-member Upper House, though the party still enjoys majority in the Council, as it comes close on the heels of MLCs Balli Kalyan Chakravarthy, Karri Padmasri, Pothla Suneetha, Marri Rajasekhar and Jayamangala Venkataramana quitting the party. With none of the resignations accepted yet, the YSRCP’s tally in the House still stands at 32. The ruling TDP-BJP-Jana Sena Party (JSP) have 10, one and two members respectively, while the Council has five Independents and eight nominated members.
Sources said all the MLCs who resigned had issues with the party leadership. “Khanam also expressed disappointment but still holds Jagan (the YSRCP chief) in high regard,” a source said.
