The Bharatiya Janata Party, which had nominated prominent Backward Classes leader R Krishna to the Rajya Sabha last year to gain traction among the BCs in Andhra Pradesh, is said to be contemplating nominating prominent Dalit leader Manda Krishna Madiga in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
Of the four Rajya Sabha seats from Andhra Pradesh that are going to fall vacant in June this year, the BJP is likely to get one seat.
One of the four seats is that of BJP-backed candidate and industrialist Parimal Nathwani, but the BJP is unlikely to renominate him, sources said.
Among those lobbying for the BJP quota seat are former Rajya Sabha MP G V L Narasimha Rao and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy.
GVL previously served as a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh and retired after completing his term.
He had reportedly sought the Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha ticket in the previous general elections, but the seat was allotted to the TDP as part of an alliance arrangement. This has led to speculation that the central leadership may reconsider his candidature.
However, sources indicate that Kiran Kumar Reddy’s name has also gained traction, particularly in the context of evolving social equations.
According to political circles in Delhi, in the backdrop of the implementation of the SC categorisation law in both Telugu states, there is strong speculation that Manda Krishna Madiga may be favoured for the Rajya Sabha berth.
Additionally, the name of K. Annamalai, former Tamil Nadu BJP president, is also said to be under consideration for the upcoming Rajya Sabha vacancy.
Sources suggest that the BJP high command is leaning towards Mandakrishna Madiga. An official announcement regarding the final candidate is expected soon.