YSR Congress party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is said to be focussing on bringing back several former leaders, who were either neglected in the past, or had quit the party, back to the party as it prepares for the 2029 assembly elections.
According to party sources, a number of former leaders, including at least one former minister, are likely to rejoin the party in the coming weeks.
Several prominent leaders had left the YSRCP following its defeat in the 2024 assembly elections.
Those who exited included Rajya Sabha members, MLCs and former ministers.
According to party insiders, changing political circumstances have prompted some of these leaders to re-establish contact with the YSRCP leadership.
“Efforts are underway to strengthen the organisation ahead of future electoral battles by bringing them back into the party fold,” sources said.
One of the names prominently being discussed is former MLA Grandhi Srinivas, who defeated Pawan Kalyan in the 2019 assembly elections from Bhimavaram and earned the reputation of a "giant killer."
After the 2024 elections, Grandhi reportedly distanced himself from the YSRCP amid alleged pressure on his business interests. There had also been speculation that he might join either the BJP or the TDP.
However, party circles are now discussing the possibility of his return to the YSRCP. Grandhi has not publicly responded to these reports.
The YSRCP leadership believes Grandhi's strong personal support base across different communities in Bhimavaram could prove beneficial as the party attempts to regain political ground in the Godavari districts.
Sources further indicate that YSRCP leaders have initiated contact with several other former leaders, including ex-ministers from North Andhra and Guntur district.
Another former minister from the Godavari region, who previously held an important position in the party, is also reportedly exploring a return.
As part of its reorganisation strategy, the YSRCP is placing special emphasis on the Godavari region and is expected to provide greater responsibility to Kapu leaders.
A meeting of Kapu leaders from the party is scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam later this month to discuss the evolving political situation.
However, party leaders say the final decision on reinducting former leaders will rest with Jagan Mohan Reddy, making the issue one of the key internal discussions within the opposition party.
