With the Rajya Sabha secretariat notifying the vacant seats in the Upper House to be filled up in June this year, speculations have begun as to who would get the nomination from Andhra Pradesh.
As many as four Rajya Sabha seats from Andhra Pradesh are set to fall vacant on June 21, 2026.
The current members whose terms are ending include Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose, Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy (YSRCP), Parimal Nathwani (an industrialist elected with YSRCP support), and Sana Satish Babu (an NRI leader backed by the TDP).
Given the coalition’s commanding strength in the assembly, all four seats are likely to go to the ruling alliance.
While Sana Satish Babu is expected to be considered for another term and Parimal Nathwani’s name is reportedly being examined again under the BJP quota.
Of the remaining two seats, one seat might be given to Jana Sena Party headed by deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan, as the party had sacrificed its seats in the last year’s RS by-elections.
With regard to the fourth seat, sources said it would be given to a leader from Backward Classes.
Though senior leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudu is pinning hopes on the RS seat, sources said TDP general secretary and state IT minister Nara Lokesh is pitching the name of Chintakayala Vijay, son of senior leader and Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu,
Sources said Lokesh is prevailing upon his father N Chandrababu Naidu to nominate Vijay to the Upper House, recognising both his loyalty and organisational contributions.
Chintakayala Vijay has been active in ITDP and the CBN Army, playing a visible role in strengthening the party’s digital outreach and grassroots mobilisation.
The Chintakayala family has shared a decades-long association with the TDP, standing firmly with the party through both political adversity and governance.
This longstanding trust is now seen as a key factor that could work in Vijay’s favour. He has been a die-hard loyalist of Lokesh, who apparently promised him the RS seat.
Notably, Vijay was earlier considered as a candidate from Narsipatnam in the last Assembly elections.
Although Ayyannapatrudu was prepared to pass on the baton, Chandrababu Naidu eventually re-nominated the senior leader, citing political calculations. Vijay, in line with party discipline, stepped aside and worked tirelessly for the party’s victory.
Political analysts believe that sending Vijay to the Rajya Sabha while Ayyannapatrudu holds the prestigious Speaker’s post would further strengthen the TDP’s position in North Andhra.
Party insiders say the leadership is keen to promote articulate young leaders who can effectively represent the party’s voice at the national level, and Vijay fits that profile.