Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu sprang some real surprises in the selection of candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections.
After a lot of brainstorming, Naidu has announced the name of sitting Rajya Sabha member C M Ramesh, which was more or less expected.
But what surprised everybody was the selection of TDP legal cell advisor Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar for the second Rajya Sabha ticket.
Ravindra Kumar’s name was nowhere heard in the party circles, as there were several other hot contenders, especially Dalit candidates like Varla Ramaiah and Masala Padma and BC candidate like Beeda Masthan Rao. In fact, till afternoon, the name of Varla Ramaiah was heard as being finalised for the second seat.
However, Ravindra Kumar emerged virtually as a dark horse from nowhere.
Interestingly, he is said to be from Kamma community, which means the TDP chief preferred both from forward caste for the RS, rather than encouraging a member from weaker sections.
It is learnt Ravindra Kumar, who is also a practising advocate in the state high court, argued for Kodangal MLA A Revanth Reddy and Naidu in the cash-for-vote case.
He played instrumental role in getting a relief for Naidu in the case in the high court and hence, got the reward.
