The YCP government on Thursday appointed comedian and political activist Ali as Advisor to Government (Electronic Media) for a two-year tenure. The news has come in for a mixed reception.

Ali's supporters are unhappy that the actor, despite being a strong YCP loyalist, has been accorded a "trivial" posting. "He was once billed to receive a Rajya Sabha nomination. That didn't happen. Then came the rumour that a Legislative Council nomination was in the offing. Even that didn't happen. After keeping him waiting for more than three years, Ali has been given an insignificant post," a supporter lamented.

Ali has been taken for granted, many feel. Political observers are of the view that the comedian, who has nurtured political ambitions quite openly in the past, doesn't have much room in politics. He has soured relations with Jana Sena Party, while TDP may not welcome him.

Ali joined the YCP in 2019. He wanted a Guntur One Town ticket from whichever party he joined. But, soon after joining YCP, he said that he doesn't want to contest in elections.