With the Rajya Sabha biennial elections slated for February 7, the fight for the sixth Rajya Sabha seat has gained momentum with the TRS planning to contest this time.
Congress MPs T Subbarami Reddy, K V P Ramachandra Rao, Nandi Yellaiah, T Ratna Bai and M A Khan are all set to retire in April. It appears that Congress can easily grab three seats and TDP can get 2 seats while the sixth seat becomes crucial.
As per TDP's strength in Andhra assembly, the party can have two MPs in Rajya Sabha. The Congress party which has 146 MLAs in the Assembly can easily bag three seats. But with several MLAs deciding to switch their loyalties in protest against the party's decision to divide AP, it will not be in a comfortable position to get the fourth seat.
The TRS which has ruled out alliance with the Congress party has decided to field its candidate. But the party's strength in the Assembly is 17 and after three TDP MLAs entered the party the number touched 22. For each MP seat of the Rajya Sabha, there is a need for support from 39 MLAs.
According to reports, TRS chief KCR is toying with the idea of seeking support from the CPI and MIM parties. With CPI 4 MLAs and MIM seven MLAs, TRS will get 33 voters' support.
In a strategical move, TRS is planning to field senior leader K Keshava Rao for Rajya Sabha elections. TRS is of the view that if K Keshava Rao is nominated, he can get the support of at least four to five Telangana Congress leaders.
Sources in the TRS say that KCR is planning to propose the names of either KK or former MP Vinod.
Political analysts feel that it will be a tough task for TRS if YSRCP which has 23 MLAs in the Assembly chooses to field its candidate.
As several MLAs have already joining Jagan's cadre and many others planning to switch their loyalties, YSRCP would give a tough fight for the sixth seat.
If TRS doesn't get enough support, KCR will have no choice but to back the Congress party in the elections, sources added.
Congress shortlists two loyalists for Rajya Sabha?
While all the five sitting MPs including Nandi Yellaiah, Md Ali Khan , KVP Ramachandra Rao, T Subbarami Reddy and T Ratnabai are anticipating re-nomination, it appears that Koppula Raju, AICC chairman (SC division) and KVP's names have been confirmed for the Rajya Sabha posts.
With several leaders in the race, Congress party is breaking its head over candidates for Rajya Sabha elections scheduled on February 7.
According to party insiders, Koppula Raju,who is a trusted lieutenant of the Gandhi family name is almost confirmed. The Congress party is in view that Koppula Raju who quit IAS is a highly qualified individual and will bring new ideas that will help the party. It is said that KVP's name too is finalised for the seat.
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