Following the resignation of YSRCP MP Vijayasai Reddy, the Rajya Sabha seat from Andhra Pradesh was left vacant and now the BJP has decided its candidate for the forthcoming by-election. The party has selected Paka Venkata Satyanarayana, a veteran BJP leader and Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Disciplinary Committee, as its official candidate.
The announcement follows a series of internal deliberations in the BJP’s election committee, which convened prior to the nomination deadline tomorrow at 3 PM. The party laid stress on choosing a committed member to represent them, and Paka Venkata Satyanarayana, a long-time party faithful with close links to the RSS, was considered the best bet.
BJP sources have confirmed that Satyanarayana’s strong bonding with the RSS and his long service to the party were major factors in his choice. This appointment is part of BJP’s consistent policy to promote and honor grassroots leaders, as seen in the previous appointments of Bhupathiraju Srinivas Varma as MP and Union Minister.
Paka Venkata Satyanarayana’s nomination is a clear indication from the BJP regarding its intent to empower loyal party workers. He will presumably be a Rajya Sabha MP for the current term, which is about three and a half years. The election process under the MLAs’ quota should be a standard procedure.
