If reports coming from New Delhi are to be believed, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y S Sharmila is set to enter the Rajya Sabha, with the Congress high command reportedly finalising her candidature from Karnataka.
The announcement was reportedly made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during an internal meeting of senior party leaders.
Sharmila is said to be among the three candidates who will be sent to the Upper House from Karnataka on behalf of the Congress.
The move is being seen as a strategic decision by the Congress leadership to strengthen the party’s presence in Andhra Pradesh and provide a larger national role to Sharmila.
Sources within the party said the Congress leadership had assured Sharmila of a Rajya Sabha berth at the time of her induction into the party.
After formally joining the Congress and subsequently taking charge as the APCC chief, she has been actively campaigning against both the ruling YSR Congress Party and the TDP-BJP alliance in the state.
Political circles note that Sharmila met senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Kharge in New Delhi two days ago.
The meeting reportedly fuelled speculation over her possible elevation to the Rajya Sabha.
With the party high command now reportedly giving clarity on the issue, those speculations appear to have been confirmed.
Analysts believe that giving Sharmila a parliamentary role could help the party sharpen its political strategy in the Telugu states ahead of future electoral battles.
An official announcement regarding the nomination process is expected soon.
