Vijayawada: Former Member of Parliament (MP) V Vijayasai Reddy on Wednesday announced the formation of a new political party, Parivartana Rajaneethi Party (PRP), and said it would contest in 2029 all 175 Assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh.
Unveiling the party flag, which features a Dharma Chakra at the centre against a white and saffron background, Vijayasai Reddy said the party would seek to end dynastic politics and promote leadership among the youth.
He alleged that the political future of five crore people in Andhra Pradesh was being controlled by two families and questioned why the posts of Chief Minister, ministers and MLAs should remain under their influence.
Vijayasai Reddy said the party's objective was to identify capable young leaders from different castes and communities and enable them to assume leadership positions, including that of Chief Minister.
He said political leadership should be determined by public mandate and individual ability rather than family inheritance.
Criticising both the ruling and Opposition parties, Vijayasai Reddy alleged that public needs, facts and accountability were being ignored amid political criticism and claims of achievement.
He said people had the right to question those in power, irrespective of their political affiliations. This applied to him as well as Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and YSRC president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, he said.
Vijayasai Reddy said the role of citizens in a democracy did not end with casting their votes but extended to holding elected representatives accountable.
He said the PRP was not intended to introduce another political leader but to identify and develop leadership qualities among young people.
Referring to his previous association with the YSRC, Vijayasai Reddy said he had played an active role in building the party. He said the PRP's doors would remain open to those wishing to leave the YSRC and join his new party.
He said the new party would challenge existing political practices in Andhra Pradesh and give priority to the welfare of weaker sections.
Vijayasai Reddy also criticised what he described as the dominance of two political families in the state and said the PRP would work towards ending hereditary political leadership.
He said he had launched the party in the presence of deities and maintained that political change must come from the people rather than individual leaders.
On an issue concerning Telangana, Vijayasai Reddy said 26 castes had been removed from the Backward Classes list and that he would take up the matter with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
He reiterated that the PRP would field candidates in all 175 Assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh.
(With inputs from media reports)