In a surprising turn of events, N Chandrababu Naidu, president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, has chosen Kanumuru Raghu Ramakrishnam Raju as the state assembly's new deputy speaker. This decision has sparked intense debate, especially after months of speculation that Naidu would allocate the position to one of his alliance partners, either Jana Sena Party or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Names like Mandali Buddha Prasad from Jana Sena and P Vishnu Kumar Raju from the BJP were being floated for the role.

Raju's appointment, after maintaining suspense for over five months, has surprised many. Raju, a former Lok Sabha MP from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), became a vocal critic of YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy. His outspoken opposition led to his arrest and various legal challenges during the YSRCP regime. Despite these obstacles, Raju persevered and won a seat in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly from the Undi constituency under the TDP banner.

Naidu’s decision to appoint Raju as deputy speaker is seen as a strategic move to further destabilize YSRCP and its leadership, particularly Jagan Mohan Reddy. Raju’s vocal opposition and the tensions between him and Jagan already caused friction, and with Ch Ayyanna Patrudu—another critic of Jagan—being appointed as speaker earlier, Jagan’s discomfort in the assembly is likely to escalate.

Naidu’s decision to choose Raghu Ramakrishnam Raju over his alliance partners is likely designed to add further pressure on Jagan, whose frustrations with the assembly's leadership are expected to grow. The appointment has political ramifications, especially as it could affect Jagan’s participation and presence in assembly sessions.

This move underscores Naidu’s ongoing political strategy to keep YSRCP on the defensive, using both symbolic and strategic appointments to disrupt Jagan’s plans in the state. As Andhra Pradesh’s political landscape continues to evolve, Naidu’s appointment of Raju as deputy speaker is sure to keep the spotlight on the ongoing power struggle between the TDP and YSRCP.