In a surprising move, YSR Congress chief and Pulivendula MLA YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has decided to completely avoid participating in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly sessions, opting instead to hold press conferences to question the government. This decision has caused quite a stir in political circles, with many speculating about its legal implications, particularly whether Jagan’s MLA seat could be nullified if he refuses to attend the sessions for an extended period.

The issue has gained significant attention on social media, where political analysts and legal experts have started discussing the potential consequences of Jagan’s absence. A leading advocate and law teacher shared an insightful post on social media, quoting Article 190(4) of the Constitution of India, which states:

"If for a period of sixty days a member of a House of the Legislature of a State is, without permission of the House, absent from all meetings thereof, the House may declare his seat vacant."

This provision raises the question: Can Jagan's seat be declared vacant if he continues to avoid attending the Assembly sessions for more than sixty days?

While this legal option is available, it seems unlikely in the current political climate, as walking out or boycotting the Assembly is a long-standing practice in Andhra Pradesh politics. In the past, Jagan himself had avoided the Assembly before 2019 when he chose to focus on his Padayatra. Similarly, Chandrababu Naidu was forced to quit the Assembly in the past after YSRCP MLAs made derogatory remarks about his family during a session.

In light of this history, it appears unlikely that the Assembly would take drastic action against Jagan, especially given the tradition of opposition leaders walking out or abstaining from sessions. Nevertheless, the question of whether Jagan's absence could lead to the nullification of his seat remains an intriguing topic for political observers.

As Jagan continues to avoid the Assembly, the issue will likely remain a point of discussion in the coming weeks, especially if the YSR Congress Party (YCP) continues to abstain from active participation in legislative proceedings.