YSRCP legislative party leader and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy claimed that the TDP-JSP-BJP alliance is trying to prevent him from becoming the Leader of the Opposition, even though YSRCP is the second largest party in the State Assembly after the alliance. Jagan believes that the alliance has already decided not to grant him the status of Leader of the Opposition.
Jagan explained that during the oath-taking ceremony for elected members of the Legislative Assembly on June 21, the traditional sequence was not followed. He was called to take oath after the Ministers, which made him suspicious of the alliance’s intentions. According to him, YSRCP is the sole opposition party to the ruling coalition, and its leader should be recognized as the Leader of the Opposition.
Jagan mentioned a video where the Speaker allegedly made hostile remarks towards him, indicating bias against him. He expressed concerns about representing the people of Andhra Pradesh in the Assembly if he is not given the status of Leader of the Opposition.
He argued that there is no specific percentage of seats required for a party to have its leader recognized as the Leader of the Opposition. Jagan cited examples from the past where parties with fewer seats were still granted this position. He emphasized the importance of having opposing views represented in the Assembly.
Jagan highlighted that without the status of Leader of the Opposition, his ability to speak on public issues would be limited by the ruling alliance and the Speaker, who he believes is biased against him.