As the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the Rajya Sabha elections next month in different states including for two seats in Telangana, speculations have begun as to who would get the chance from the Congress this time.
Two Rajya Sabha members from Telangana are set to retire on April 9, including BRS MP K.R. Suresh Reddy and Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi.
With its current numerical strength in the state assembly, the Congress is well positioned to secure both seats.
According to party sources, the high command would hold discussions with chief minister Revanth Reddy during his Delhi visit on Wednesday to finalise candidates.
Senior leader and legal expert Abhishek Singhvi is likely to be renominated to the Upper House, given his key role in handling legal matters for the Telangana government and his proximity to the party leadership.
For the second seat, the Congress is said to have chosen former Supreme Court judge Justice Sudarshan Reddy, who previously contested as the INDIA bloc’s vice-presidential candidate.
Party leaders reportedly decided to send him to the Rajya Sabha following his defeat in the vice-presidential election.
The Rajya Sabha election schedule covers 37 seats across 10 states, including two from Telangana. If the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) decides not to field candidates, both Congress nominees are likely to be elected unopposed.
However, if BRS enters the fray, polling will be held on March 16, with counting scheduled for the same evening.
Party insiders believe that fielding Justice Sudarshan Reddy could discourage a contest, given his stature and reputation as a distinguished jurist.
He has previously served as a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court and a judge of the Supreme Court.
Unless last-minute changes occur, Abhishek Singhvi and Justice Sudarshan Reddy are expected to represent Telangana in the Rajya Sabha.
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