After NTR's death in January 1996, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha and was also made president of the TDP's women's wing. In 2002, however, she was denied a second term in the Upper House and was replaced by actress Roja as Telugu Mahila president.
A miffed Jayaprada distanced herself from the TDP and moved to Uttar Pradesh to join the Samajwadi Party.
With Amar's backing, she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Rampur in 2004 and 2009.
