Andhra Pradesh Legislature monsoon session from August 17, YSRCP to skip Assembly
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The monsoon session of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature is set to commence on 17 August, with Governor Justice S. Abdul Nazeer formally issuing notification orders for both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. The Assembly will convene at 9 am, while the Council will begin its proceedings at 10 am on the same day.
YSRCP Set to Boycott Assembly, Attend Council
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), the sole opposition party in the Assembly, is likely to stay away from the Lower House session. The party's position hinges on its demand that former Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy be accorded the official status of Leader of Opposition (LoP).
Jagan Mohan Reddy has stated unequivocally that attending the Assembly session without LoP recognition serves little purpose. 'People's voice should be raised by the opposition party, and if they do not respect democracy, it is their lack of wisdom,' he remarked. He argued that the party would only get adequate time to raise public concerns if it received the status of the main opposition.
Despite the Assembly boycott, the YSRCP — which holds a majority in the Legislative Council — has confirmed it will attend the Upper House to confront the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government on key issues.
LoP Battle Lands in High Court
The dispute over Leader of Opposition status is currently before the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Jagan Mohan Reddy had filed a petition in July 2024, seeking a court direction to the state government to formally designate him as LoP. The matter remains pending.
The YSRCP holds only 11 seats in the 175-member Legislative Assembly — a sharp fall from its previous majority — after losing power to the TDP-led NDA in the 2024 state elections. The party's reduced strength in the Lower House has complicated its claim to formal opposition recognition under established legislative norms.
Mega DSC-2025 Scam to Be Raised in Council
YSRCP MLC Parvathareddy Chandrasekhar Reddy confirmed that the party intends to raise the issue of alleged irregularities in the Mega DSC-2025 recruitment process in the Legislative Council. The YSRCP has been organising protests across Andhra Pradesh, demanding a CBI investigation into the alleged scam and the resignation of Education Minister Nara Lokesh to ensure an impartial probe.
The MLC clarified that the party is not seeking cancellation of the District Selection Committee (DSC) examination or the removal of already-appointed candidates. The demand, he said, is limited to a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities and justice for deserving candidates.
What to Watch in the Session
With the YSRCP holding the Upper House majority, the Legislative Council is expected to see sharp exchanges between the opposition and the NDA government. The DSC-2025 controversy, LoP status, and broader governance issues are likely to dominate proceedings. The Assembly, meanwhile, may proceed with reduced opposition presence, raising questions about the quality of legislative scrutiny during this session.