In a surprising move, BJP is fielding veteran BC leader and former YCP Rajya Sabha member R. Krishnaiah as its candidate from Andhra Pradesh, with the support of TDP and Jana Sena. Interestingly, he has not yet formally joined the BJP. The BJP announced three candidates for AP, Odisha and Haryana on Monday.
Andhra Pradesh state will send three MPs. Three Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP MPs Venkataramana Rao Mopidevi, Beedha Masthan Rao Yadav and Ryaga Krishnaiah had resigned from Rajya Sabha, prompting elections for new members.
Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is poised to win all these three seats. Mopidevi’s tenure was up to June 21, 2026, while the tenures of Yadav and Ryaga were up to June 21, 2028.
Meanwhile, R. Krishnaiah, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha from the YSRCP, resigned from his post. To this extent, Krishnaiah submitted his resignation letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on September 23. It was announced on September 24 that Krishnaiah’s resignation was being accepted.
Krishnaiah resigned before his term of office was 4 years. It is noteworthy that at that time Krishnaiah stated that there were some obstacles to strengthening the BC movement in Telangana state, which is why he resigned from his post.
Recently, the BJP has given an opportunity to Krishnaiah from Andhra Pradesh. He started his electoral politics by joining TDP ahead of 2014 and the party declared him as party’s Chief Minister candidate for Telangana. He had won the Telangana assembly from L B Nagar constituency.
Later he became Rajya Sabha member as YCP candidate. But politically his contribution for TDP or YCP representing those parties in the legislative bodies was dismal. The suspense continues over two more vacant seats in AP. TDP and Jana Sena are likely to announce soon.
The party’s MPs Mopidevi Venkataramana and Beeda Mastan Rao, who resigned from the Rajya Sabha due to dissatisfaction with the affairs going on in the YSRCP, later joined the TDP. It will soon be known whether they will be given a chance or someone else will be nominated.
