VIJAYAWADA: With less than two weeks remaining for filing nominations to contest the Rajya Sabha elections, speculation is rife over who the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will nominate for the three vacant seats in the Upper House of Parliament.
So far, there is no clarity on whether the yellow party, which currently has no representation in the Rajya Sabha, will contest all three seats or share them with either of its alliance partners — the Jana Sena or the BJP. Nonetheless, intense lobbying for the coveted post has begun.
With three-time MP K Ram Mohan Naidu appointed as the Civil Aviation Minister and two-time MP Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu named Chairperson of the Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party (TDPP), sources say the party is likely to nominate at least one senior leader to the Rajya Sabha — preferably someone with strong coordination skills who can manage State-related issues in the national capital.
The need for elections to the three Rajya Sabha seats arose following the resignation of YSRC MPs Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao, Beeda Masthan Rao, and R Krishnaiah. Mopidevi’s term was set to end on June 21, 2026, while the other two MPs’ terms would have run until June 2028.
Sources also told TNIE that the TDP might nominate Masthan Rao. However, other names circulating for possible nomination include leaders such as Galla Jayadev, Bhashyam Ramakrishna, Kambhampati Rammohan Rao, Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar, TD Janardhan, and R Srinivasulu Reddy.
Clarity on seat-sharing likely after December 4
Interestingly, Galla Jayadev, who represented Guntur in the Lok Sabha for two consecutive terms from 2014 to 2024, had previously announced his decision to step away from politics to focus on his business.
However, sources now suggest that the Co-Founder and Chairman of Amara Raja Group is reconsidering a comeback and may be eyeing a Rajya Sabha seat.
The question comes here is how much time can Galla, who is busy with his business activities, devote to the party if nominated as MP. Jayadev is currently the Chairman of Amararaja Energy and Mobility Limited.
While TDP supremo and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had promised to nominate party national general secretary Varla Ramaiah, who hails from the Madiga community, to the Rajya Sabha, sources say he may instead be considered for the post of Governor. As Naidu proposed GMC Balayogi, who was from the Mala community, for the Lok Sabha Speaker position, he may nominate a Madiga leader for coveted posts like that of a Governor, they felt.
Recounting that Motkupalli Narasimhulu, a Madiga leader in Telangana, had accused Naidu of being against the community, sources said the Chief Minister might recommend Varla for a Governor post to avoid such criticism.
Meanwhile, it is reported that Jana Sena President and Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan, during a recent trip to New Delhi, lobbied for his brother Nagendra Babu and also reportedly held discussions with senior BJP leaders.
More clarity on the issue of seat-sharing is expected only in the second week of December, as Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to travel to Delhi on December 4 to meet with the BJP high command and consult on nominees from the state for the Rajya Sabha.
Former Guntur MP Galla Jayadev a key contender?
Galla Jayadev had announced his decision to step away from politics to focus on his business. However, sources now suggest that the Co-Founder and Chairman of Amara Raja Group is reconsidering a comeback and may be eyeing an RS seat. However, it is to be seen how much time Galla can devote to the party if he is nominated as an MP