Jagan As Permanent President – Will EC Accept?

YS Jagan has been elected as ‘Permanent President’ of YSRCP at the party’s just concluded plenary. It means he will be the YSRCP’s President Forever. This move has stirred a controversy and a debate. Opposition TDP has slammed Jagan and accused him of “Narcissist”. Keeping the political repercussions aside, can YS Jagan sail through this. Is it legal? Can EC give its nod to this move of Jagan?

In democracy, political parties do play a crucial role. Political parties are elected to power in democratic means of elections through public voting. The moot question is how can a party that is elected to power through election can choose a ‘permanent president’. This is done by amending the constitution of the political party. This is where it raises several questions.

A political party is certainly not a proprietary firm. It is formed with the laws in accordance with the Election Commission’s rules. Any amendment made to the constitution of a political party has to be ratified by the Election Commission keeping the laws of formation of political party.

On one hand, Jagan Reddy has shown the door to his mother YS Vijayamma who has resigned from the post of party’s honorary president. Though she made a speech and gave her reasons for resigning, YS Vijayamma’s exit from the post has political ramifications. Even YSR’s die-hard fans were not able to digest this. At the same time, Jagan Reddy is made YSRC’s Permanent President. It’s a double whammy.

Making Jagan as Permanent President is a bad move and wrong timing from YSRCP. The ball is now in the Election Commission’s court. It needs to be seen what is in store for Jagan & YSRCP.