Race hots up in Andhra Pradesh for four Rajya Sabha seats; polling on June 18

Vijayawada: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday announced the schedule for elections to four Rajya Sabha seats from Andhra Pradesh, with polling to be held on June 18.

The elections have assumed political significance in view of the NDA’s overwhelming strength in the state assembly and growing speculation over the probable nominees of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Jana Sena Party (JSP), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The four vacancies will arise as the tenure of Rajya Sabha members Alla Ayodhya Ramireddy, Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose and Parimal Natwani of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), along with TDP member Sana Satish, is set to expire on June 26.

As per the schedule released by the ECI, the election notification will be issued on June 1, while June 8 is the last date for filing nominations. Scrutiny of nominations will be held on June 9, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is June 11. Polling, if required, will be conducted on June 18 between 9am and 4pm, followed by counting of votes on the same day.

With the NDA enjoying a comfortable majority in the Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly, all four seats are expected to be won by the alliance. Attention has now shifted towards the selection of candidates and possible seat-sharing arrangements among the alliance partners.

Sources in the ruling alliance said TDP national president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is likely to hold consultations with leaders of the JSP and the BJP before finalising the candidates. However, the process is expected to gain momentum after the TDP’s annual Mahanadu conclave.

Sources said retiring member Sana Satish is likely to be renominated as he has served in parliament for only two years. Satish was elected to Rajya Sabha in 2024 following the resignation of YSRCP member Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao. His proximity to TDP national working president and IT minister Nara Lokesh is believed to strengthen his prospects in the upcoming election. However, there is intense competition for the remaining seats.

With both the BJP and the JSP reportedly seeking one seat each, the TDP will be left with two berths. Speculation is also rife that the BJP could nominate former IPS officer and Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai to Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh.

TDP currently has just two members, including Satish, in the Upper House of Parliament. This number could go up to three if it decides to give one seat each to the JSP and the BJP. The BJP already has two members in Rajya Sabha from AP, and its strength from the state, too, will be equal to that of TDP at 3 if it insists on taking one seat.

Meanwhile, the JSP is keen to open its account in Rajya Sabha this election. The party has two LS members from the state, but no representation in RS so far. YSRCP continues to be the largest party from AP in RS with four members, even after the retirement of its three members.

Sources said the TDP’s final choice may depend on the social combination emerging from the JSP nominee. If the JSP picks a candidate from the Kamma community, the TDP is likely to consider a BC or SC nominee. If JSP opts for a Kapu candidate, the TDP may prefer a nominee from the Kamma community.

Senior TDP leaders Yanamala Ramakrishnudu (BC), Varla Ramaiah (SC), and Devineni Umamaheswara Rao (Kamma) are reportedly lobbying for the coveted post. Political analysts believe that Nara Lokesh may spring a surprise by backing a young leader or industrialist. The name of Bharat Biotech co-founder Krishna Ella is also doing the rounds in TDP circles.