With two MLC seats under the Governor’s quota set to fall vacant on Tuesday, intense lobbying has begun within the ruling Telugu Desam Party, as party president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has initiated consultations to select potential candidates.
The terms of State Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Zakia Khanam and YSR Congress Party MLC Pandula Ravindra Babu, both nominated under the Governor’s quota, are set to end on July 28, creating two vacancies in the Upper House.
According to party sources, the TDP leadership has begun discussions on suitable nominees, with several senior leaders emerging as contenders.
Among the names reportedly under serious consideration is senior TDP leader Varla Ramaiah, who has twice aspired for a Rajya Sabha berth but narrowly missed out despite being considered by the party leadership.
Sources indicate that the party is now inclined to accommodate him through the Governor’s nominated quota in the Legislative Council.
The second vacancy is reportedly expected to go to a leader from the Rayalaseema region as part of the party’s regional balancing strategy.
A senior leader from the region, who had also sought a Rajya Sabha nomination but was unsuccessful due to social and political considerations, is believed to be under consideration.
If that proposal does not materialise, the party may consider appointing a Backward Class leader from Rayalaseema, according to political circles.
The race, however, extends beyond these names. Several other senior TDP leaders have reportedly been awaiting political rehabilitation since the Assembly elections.
Former MLA Vangaveeti Radhakrishna, former minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, former Pithapuram MLA SVSN Varma and former MLA Kommalapati Sridhar are all said to be hopeful of securing Legislative Council berths.
Speculation over Vangaveeti Radha’s elevation to the Legislative Council has persisted for nearly two years. Fresh discussions on social media suggest that he could be nominated under the Governor’s quota.
Similarly, Devineni Uma, Pithapuram Varma and Kommalapati Sridhar were denied Assembly tickets during the previous elections, making an MLC berth a possible way to accommodate them within the party.
While several names continue to circulate, the final decision rests with the TDP leadership, which is expected to consider political, regional and social equations before announcing its nominees.
