As the notification for the four vacant Rajya Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh is set to be issued next week, hectic speculation is underway in state politics over the possible candidates.
There is also talk about the possibility of leaders from Andhra Pradesh getting berths in the proposed expansion and reshuffle of the Union Cabinet.
According to sources, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is learnt to have offered the Jana Sena Party an opportunity to join the Narendra Modi Cabinet, with strong speculation that actor and Jana Sena leader Konidela Nagababu could be the party’s choice for the post.
Political sources say Jana Sena is expected to secure one of the four Rajya Sabha seats going to polls from Andhra Pradesh.
The party leadership is reportedly considering sending Nagababu to the Rajya Sabha, paving the way for his possible induction into the Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet.
Sources in Jana Sena indicated that party president Pawan Kalyan has begun recalibrating his political strategy at both the state and national levels.
Since Pawan Kalyan himself is serving as Deputy Chief Minister in Andhra Pradesh, the party is understood to be exploring the option of giving national representation to Nagababu through the Rajya Sabha and eventually the Union Cabinet.
During seat-sharing negotiations with the Telugu Desam Party before the 2024 elections, Jana Sena had initially considered fielding Nagababu from the Anakapalli Lok Sabha constituency.
However, the BJP reportedly sought the seat as part of the alliance arrangement, forcing Nagababu to forgo the opportunity at the last minute.
Subsequently, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu publicly announced that Nagababu would be accommodated through an MLC berth and inducted into the state Cabinet.
However, that proposal has remained pending due to evolving political and social equations within the coalition government.
Against this backdrop, the focus has now shifted to Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a meeting with NDA chief ministers and deputy chief ministers on June 10, amid reports of a possible Union Cabinet reshuffle.
Political circles believe the NDA leadership is considering allocating another ministerial berth from Andhra Pradesh, with Jana Sena emerging as the likely beneficiary.
Party insiders say Nagababu’s elevation to the Rajya Sabha and eventual entry into the Union Cabinet now appear highly probable unless there are last-minute changes in political calculations.
Meanwhile, sources suggest that if Nagababu is sent to the Rajya Sabha, the MLC position currently being considered for him could be offered to former YSR Congress Party minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy, who joined Jana Sena in 2024.
Political observers say the move would help the party strengthen social and regional equations as part of its long-term strategy.
Pawan Kalyan recently hinted that Balineni would be given due importance in the party, adding further weight to the speculation.
Barring unexpected developments, the emerging political arrangement is expected to be formalised in the coming weeks.
