Almost all political parties in both the Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, which have representation in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, have made their stand clear on the upcoming Vice-Presidential elections scheduled for September 9.
In Andhra Pradesh, all major parties — including the Telugu Desam Party, Jana Sena Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, and even the opposition YSR Congress Party — have announced their support for the NDA candidate, C P Radhakrishnan.
In Telangana as well, there is clarity. The Congress and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) have declared support for the INDIA bloc’s candidate, Justice B. Sudarashan Reddy, while the BJP has pledged support to Radhakrishnan.
The only party yet to disclose its stand is the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Uncertainty persists over whether it will support Sudarashan Reddy or Radhakrishnan.
Though the BRS has no representation in the Lok Sabha, it holds four seats in the Rajya Sabha. Recently, BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao stated that neither alliance — NDA nor INDIA — had approached the party for support.
“Our party is not answerable to either of the two major alliances. We are our own bosses. In any case, we will not extend support to the candidate proposed by Telangana chief minister A. Revanth Reddy,” KTR remarked.
According to reports, BRS president and former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) held internal discussions with senior leaders on the matter.
The consensus within the party appears to be that aligning with either bloc at the Centre could create future complications in Telangana’s political landscape. Indications suggest the BRS may remain neutral and abstain from voting.
“A final decision is expected to be officially announced by KCR during a key party meeting scheduled after the Vinayaka Chavithi festival,” sources revealed.
