The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) faced several challenges that led to its loss in the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections. Here are the key factors:
1. Overreliance on Freebies : Political strategist Prashant Kishor, who was instrumental in YSRCP's 2019 victory, pointed out that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's heavy reliance on "freebies" to secure votes backfired. Kishor criticized this strategy, suggesting that voters saw through the lack of sustainable development policies.
2. Strength of the Opposition : The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by N. Chandrababu Naidu, formed a strategic alliance with the Jana Sena Party (JSP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This coalition managed to present a strong alternative, particularly in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. Their focused campaign and impactful manifesto appealed to a wide voter base, including key demographics such as the Kapu community
3. Localized Issues and Governance : Various local issues and governance failures also played a role. Despite implementing several welfare schemes, the YSRCP struggled with allegations of corruption and inefficiency. The murder of Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy and subsequent controversies further tarnished the party's image. Additionally, the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic challenges left many voters dissatisfied.
4. Political Predictions and Public Sentiment : There were predictions, including from Prashant Kishor, that indicated a strong anti-incumbency wave against Jagan Mohan Reddy. His remarks about the declining political strength of the YSRCP seemed to resonate with the public sentiment, contributing to a loss of confidence in the ruling party
These factors combined to create a challenging electoral environment for the YSRCP, leading to its defeat in the 2024 elections.