Lobbying has begun within the Telugu Desam Party as the process gets underway to fill two Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council seats under the Governor's nominated quota that are set to fall vacant later this month.
The terms of Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Zakia Khanam and YSR Congress Party MLC Pandula Ravindra Babu, both nominated under the Governor's quota, are scheduled to end on July 28, creating two vacancies.
According to party sources, the TDP leadership has initiated consultations to identify suitable candidates for the posts.
Several senior party leaders are reportedly under consideration, making the selection process a closely watched affair in political circles.
Sources indicate that one of the vacancies is likely to be offered to senior TDP leader Varla Ramaiah.
The second position is reportedly expected to go to a leader from the Rayalaseema region as part of the party's regional and social balancing exercise.
Both leaders under consideration had earlier aspired for Rajya Sabha nominations but were overlooked due to political and social equations.
The party is now believed to be considering accommodating them through the Legislative Council.
Varla Ramaiah had reportedly figured prominently in the party's deliberations over Rajya Sabha nominations on two occasions but narrowly missed selection each time.
Party insiders now believe the leadership is inclined to nominate him to the Legislative Council under the Governor's quota.
For the second vacancy, another senior leader from Rayalaseema, who had also unsuccessfully sought a Rajya Sabha berth, is said to be under active consideration.
If he is not ultimately selected, the party may instead nominate a Backward Class leader from the region.
Apart from these names, several other TDP leaders are also reportedly in the race for MLC positions.
Former MLA Vangaveeti Radha, former minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao, former Pithapuram MLA S.V.S.N. Varma and former MLA Kommalapati Sridhar are all understood to be aspiring for Legislative Council berths.
Speculation over Vangaveeti Radha's elevation has persisted for nearly two years, with repeated reports suggesting that he would receive an MLC nomination. However, the appointment has yet to materialise.
Fresh discussions on social media have once again suggested that he could be considered for one of the vacancies under the Governor's quota.
Similarly, Devineni Uma, Pithapuram Varma and Kommalapati Sridhar, who were denied Assembly tickets in the last elections, are also hoping to be accommodated through Legislative Council nominations.
The final decision now rests with the TDP leadership, whose choices are expected to reflect a combination of seniority, regional representation and social equations.
