Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu sprang a surprise on the party leaders and political observers in the selection of candidates for the two MLC seats under MLAs’ quota, by-elections for which are scheduled to be held on July 12.
On Tuesday, the last day for filing of nominations for the two MLC seats, Naidu announced the names of former MLC C Ramachandraiah and Jana Sena Party official spokesperson and secretary of party’s political affairs committee P Hari Prasad.
Both Ramachandraiah and Hariprasad filed their nominations before 3 pm, the deadline for filing of nominations.
Since there were no other nominations, they would be declared elected as MLCs unanimously by July 5, the last date for withdrawal of nominations.
Till the other day, there were reports from within the TDP that Naidu has decided to nominate former MLA S V S N Varma, who sacrificed his seat for Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan in Pithapuram assembly constituency. In fact, Varma himself declared his own candidature on X.
Besides, there was a talk that the second MLC seat would be given to a minority candidate – either former legislative council chairman Mohd Ahmed Sharif or former MLC Mohd Iqbal.
But Naidu gave a shock to both the leaders, by choosing former MLC C Ramachandraiah, who was disqualified for defecting from the YSRCP to the TDP, just before the recent assembly elections.
The TDP chief decided to leave the second seat to Jana Sena after holding discussions with Pawan Kalyan a few days ago. Obviously, Naidu doesn’t want to displease the power star, who has been a pillar of strength for him.
Sources said Naidu had conveyed to Varma and other aspirants that they would be accommodated in suitable political positions soon.
More seats are expected to fall vacant in the legislative council early next week and Varma may get a full six-year term then, sources said.