Hyderabad: Congress finalises Rajya Sabha nominees today
HYDERABAD: The Congress is likely to finalise its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections on Monday. The state has two vacancies this time, and one seat is learnt to have been reserved for Supreme Court lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi as a renewal.
The second berth has triggered intense internal consultations. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s close aide Vem Narender Reddy and All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Challa Vamshi Chand Reddy are seen as frontrunners. Party sources say one among them is likely to be chosen after weighing multiple social and political considerations.
Four names under consideration
Since the election schedule was announced, there has been discussion that one seat is set aside for Singhvi. Preparations for his nomination are reportedly under way.
For the second seat, consultations were held by the Chief Minister along with the AICC and Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC). The leadership examined the possibility of allocating the seat either to the Reddy community or to Backward Classes (BCs). The option of accommodating a Lambada leader, who is not represented in the Cabinet, was also discussed.
During discussions with PCC leaders, the high command is learnt to have proposed the name of Dr P Vinay Kumar, son of former Union minister P Shiv Shankar. Senior leader V Hanumantha Rao, who belongs to the same community, has also sought the nomination, leading to deliberations within the party.
There was also a view that the seat should go to an Open Category candidate, preferably from the Reddy community. In this context, Vamshi Chand Reddy’s name reportedly gained traction. However, he is said to have suggested that senior leaders who are unlikely to contest elections be considered for the Rajya Sabha. Party sources also indicated that his organisational services are required for some more time.
If the leadership decides in favour of a Reddy candidate, Revanth Reddy is learnt to be backing Vem Narender Reddy. The Chief Minister had initially proposed the name of former Supreme Court judge Justice Sudarshan Reddy. However, after he reportedly expressed unwillingness, Narender Reddy’s name was put forward.
Party circles say the final decision among the four names Narender Reddy, Vamshi Chand Reddy, Vinay Kumar and Hanumantha Rao will be announced on Monday. There is also speculation that an unexpected candidate could emerge.
Breakfast meeting at Deputy CM’s residence
A breakfast meeting was held at Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka’s residence in Praja Bhavan on Sunday morning to discuss the second berth. Ministers Jupally Krishna Rao, Vivek, Konda Surekha and Azharuddin attended the meeting along with TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud.
Twist: Both seats may go to state leaders
Party sources say a new development has emerged in the selection process. The high command is reportedly considering fielding Abhishek Manu Singhvi from Tamil Nadu instead of Telangana.
If that happens, both Rajya Sabha seats from Telangana may go to state leaders. In Tamil Nadu, Congress depends on the support of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for a Rajya Sabha seat. It is learnt that Chief Minister M K Stalin was not in favour of an earlier name proposed by the Congress high command but has responded positively to Singhvi’s candidature.
If Singhvi is shifted to Tamil Nadu, the equations in Telangana could change significantly, party sources said.
