Even as the hungama over by-election to Palair Assembly seat is coming to an end on May 15, political atmosphere in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states is going to hot up once again, with the Election Commission on Thursday declaring schedule for the Rajya Sabha elections.
While two MP seats – that of V Hanumantha Rao (Cong) and Gundu Sudharani (TRS) are going to get vacated in Telangana, four seats from AP are going to fall vacant: that of Nirmala Sitaraman (BJP), Jairam Ramesh, J D Seelam (Cong) and Sujana Chowdary (TDP). Now, the question is going to replace them in both the States.
In Telangana, both the seats are going to be pocketed by the TRS, since no other party has strength to compete for the seats. While Sudharani is hoping to get the re-nomination for the second time, it is said to be highly unlikely. Former minister Capt Lakshmikanth Rao, contractor-turned-media man C L Rajam, Namasthe Telangana MD D Damodar Rao, real estate honcho J Rameshwar Rao and others are in the race for the RS seat from TRS.
In AP, it is unlikely that Sujana Chowdary will get renomination from the TDP, which will get three seats, while the fourth seat will go to the YSR Congress party. Naidu may offer the third seat to the BJP as per coalition dharma, but it is not known whether the BJP will accept it or not. If it accepts, Nirmala may get the chance again; if not, Venkaiah Naidu is already in the race. Of the remaining two seats, Naidu may choose one Kapu leader and another from his own caste. He is also under pressure to give one seat to Telangana leader, preferably Mothkupalli Narsimhulu. And, YSRC may field Vijaya Sai Reddy.
The notification will be issued on May 24 and the election will be held on June 11, if inevitable.
