With four Rajya Sabha members from Andhra Pradesh are all set to complete their six-year term in June this year, speculations are on as to who are going to get the chance to fill up these vacancies this time.
The members whose terms are ending are: Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose, Ayodhya Rami Reddy (both from YSRCP), Parimal Nathwani (YSRCP-backed industrialist recommended by BJP) and Sana Satish (TDP), who replaced Mopidevi Venkata Ramana in 2024.
Since the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition enjoys enjoys a clear majority in the state assembly, it is going to win all the four seats and the YSRCP will lose out in the race.
While formal announcements will depend on alliance negotiations, the broad expectation is that the TDP will get two seats, while leaving one seat each to the Bharatiya Janata Party and Jana Sena Party.
Sources said the BJP is unlikely to give a second term to Parimal Nathwani, an industrialist from Reliance Industries group, though he was nominated in 2020 by the YSRCP on recommendation by the BJP national leadership.
It is learnt the BJP is considering retired IAS officer Dasari Srinivasulu as a potential candidate, partly due to his strong background in the RSS and Sangh Parivar's ABVP.
According to sources, Dasari Srinivasulu, a Dalit leader, has been recognized for his work with the Samarasata Seva Foundation, where he played a key role in temple building in rural areas. He is presently based in Tirupati.
After retirement, he joined the BJP and was tipped as a potential candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from Tirupati, but he could not get the chance due to coalition politics.
“He has been continuously lobbying for the Rajya Sabha nomination and is likely to get the chance, unless the BJP national leadership has any other choice,” sources said.
