Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress continues to face challenges following a significant defeat by the Telugu Desam Party in both the Andhra Pradesh and Lok Sabha elections.

On Thursday, two YSRCP Members of Parliament from the Rajya Sabha — Beeda Masthan Rao and Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao — submitted their resignations after meeting with the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankar. Sources within the Rajya Sabha Secretariat confirmed that their resignations have been accepted, according to News18.

The duo is expected to join the ruling TDP next week. Sources suggest that Masthan Rao will likely be nominated to return to the Rajya Sabha as a TDP candidate, while Mopidevi is expected to contest for an MLC position in the state assembly.

Mopidevi was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2020, with his term running until 2026. Sources have indicated that the TDP intends to retain the Rajya Sabha seat and is considering nominating an ex-serviceman for it. On the other hand, Masthan Rao, who entered the Rajya Sabha in 2022, has a term lasting until 2028.

With the resignation of the two MPs, the YSR Congress's strength has diminished further, now holding nine MPs instead of the previous 11. The party, ousted from power in the 2024 assembly elections, managed to secure only four of the 25 Lok Sabha seats. The majority of the seats were claimed by Chandrababu Naidu's TDP, which now has 16 MPs, while the BJP won two seats, and Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena holds two Lok Sabha MPs.

The NDA holds a majority in the Upper House, having secured 10 out of 11 seats in the recent Rajya Sabha elections. The NDA's strength in the Rajya Sabha currently stands at 114, including a few nominated and Independent members. With the two TDP MPs likely to be re-elected, the NDA’s strength is set to increase further.

Image source: News18