Even as reports suggest that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) might field a candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh, despite lacking sufficient MLAs in the assembly, the ruling Congress party in Telangana has reportedly decided against such a move.
In Andhra Pradesh, the TDP is hopeful that disgruntled YSRCP MLAs, denied party tickets for the upcoming assembly elections, may crossvote for its candidate if it enters the fray.
Although the TDP currently has an effective strength of only 18 MLAs in the assembly, it anticipates that approximately 28 YSRC MLAs, dropped from the list of candidates, may vote for the TDP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections. This would secure 46 first preferential votes, surpassing the required number of 43 votes, and thus, secure the third Rajya Sabha seat.
On the other hand, in Telangana, the Congress holds a strength of 64 MLAs in the assembly, allowing it to win only two seats. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), with 39 MLAs, can retain one seat. The minimum number of first preferential votes needed for a candidate to win an RS seat is 30.
There's a possibility of the Congress winning all three seats if it manages to attract 10 BRS MLAs. Several BRS MLAs have already met Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, showing signs of potential support.
Despite these opportunities, the Congress high command and Revanth Reddy reportedly show no interest in poaching BRS MLAs at present, especially with Lok Sabha elections approaching rapidly. Such actions could harm the party's reputation and affect its prospects in the LS polls.
Therefore, sources suggest that the party will not field a third candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls. Perhaps, after the Lok Sabha elections, there might be consideration for the defection of BRS MLAs, the sources added.