Rajya Sabha seat picks turn tricky for NDA allies in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad: Selecting candidates for the four Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant in June from Andhra Pradesh for which the Election Commission has issued the schedule is shaping up to be a tricky and contentious exercise for NDA allies TDP, Jana Sena, and BJP.

With a long list of aspirants within TDP itself, the party faces an additional complication as both BJP and Jana Sena are reportedly seeking one seat each, which would leave TDP with only two. Choosing those two candidates promises to be a difficult call for TDP supremo and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

It is learnt, however, that TDP may deny BJP the seat the saffron party had sought. The four retiring members are Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy, Parimal Nathwani , and Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose all of YSRCP and Sana Satish Babu of TDP.

Given the NDA's commanding strength in the 175-member Assembly TDP holds 135 seats, Jana Sena 21, and BJP 8, against YSRCP's 11, the alliance is widely expected to secure a unanimous victory across all four seats.

Sources said retiring member Sana Satish Babu is likely to be renominated by TDP. If BJP insists on a seat, Naidu may finalise a separate candidate for the remaining slot. Speculation is also rife that former IPS officer and erstwhile Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai may be fielded by the party from Andhra Pradesh. Should BJP secure a seat in this round, it would have three members in the Upper House from the state, a significant rise from none just a few years ago.

Jana Sena, meanwhile, would make its Rajya Sabha debut if Naidu allocates it one seat. Party supremo and state Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is understood to be considering industrialist Lingamaneni Ramesh, a loyalist and major backer of Jana Sena since its founding. With Ramesh belonging to the Kamma community, Naidu may opt for a BC or SC candidate for TDP's second seat even as several Kamma leaders from within the party are said to be eyeing a nomination to the Upper House.

The Election Commission of India on Friday announced the schedule for biennial elections to 24 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states, including Andhra Pradesh. The notification will be issued on June 1, with the last date for filing nominations being June 8. Polling, if necessary, will be held on June 18. The four Andhra Pradesh vacancies arise as the terms of the incumbent members are set to expire on June 21.