ANDHRA PRADESH: Six AP MLCs Press Council Chief for Quick Resignation Approval
In the swirling currents of Andhra Pradesh politics, six former YSR Congress Party members of the Legislative Council have turned up the heat on Chairman K. Moshen Raju.
On December 1, 2025, they met him in Amaravati, pressing for swift action on their long-pending resignations.
This comes hot on the heels of a stern High Court directive, capping decisions at 30 days and branding delays as unconstitutional overreach.
These lawmakers, all elected or nominated under YSRCP banners, jumped ship after the party’s 2024 poll drubbing.
Their collective plea highlights a deeper churn: loyalty tested by tides of power, with the judiciary now refereeing the fallout.
Courtroom Wake-Up Call
Justice Gannamaneni Ramakrishna Prasad’s November 27 ruling didn’t pull punches.
Hearing Jayamangala Venkataramana’s petition, the single-judge bench labeled the Chairman’s foot-dragging “illegal, arbitrary, and an abuse of process.”
It mandated a full inquiry and verdict within four weeks, stressing that constitutional roles demand promptness, not procrastination.
The broader order sets a 30-day benchmark for all such cases, a rare judicial leash on legislative discretion.
Venkataramana handed over the order copy during the meeting, underscoring the urgency for his November 23, 2024, resignation.
Profiles of the Defectors
Each story weaves a thread of ambition amid alliance shifts. Here’s a snapshot:
- Jayamangala Venkataramana: Elected via MLA quota in 2023, he quit YSRCP citing personal reasons and joined Jana Sena, led by Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, in late 2024.
- Zakia Khanam: Nominated under Governor’s quota in July 2020, she resigned as Deputy Chairperson and YSRCP member in May 2025, crossing over to BJP.
- Pothula Sunitha: A three-term legislator and ex-YSRCP women’s wing head, she stepped down in August 2024 and aligned with BJP in September.
- B. Kalyan Chakravarthi: Resigned August 2024; switched to TDP in September 2025.
- Karri Padmasri: Submitted papers in August 2024; joined TDP alongside Chakravarthi.
- Marri Rajasekhar: Tendered resignation in March 2025; embraced TDP in September.
These moves shrink YSRCP’s Council tally to 25, bolstering the ruling NDA’s grip.
Stalled Steps and Political Ripples
The Chairman’s silence since last year fueled frustrations, prompting the High Court fine of Rs.10,000 in September 2025 for missing a counter-affidavit.
During Monday’s huddle, the group reiterated their resolve, citing YSRCP’s “anti-people” policies as the breaking point.
YSRCP, once dominant, now grapples with a steady exodus—over a dozen defectors since June 2024.
For the NDA, these gains fortify the upper house, but acceptance could trigger by-elections, testing voter sentiments.
Judicial Guardrails in Governance
The ruling echoes a national push for accountability in high offices. By invoking Rule 186 of assembly procedures, the court clarified: Inquiries must happen, but not endlessly.
This precedent might streamline future exits, curbing what critics call “strategic limbo.”