Since the formation of the coalition government, the BJP has won two Rajya Sabha seats from AP so far. Both TDP and Jana Sena are following BJP directions with regard to selection of Rajya Sabha candidates, though it has only 8 MLAs in the state. Now, it is known that the BJP is moving towards getting two of the four Rajya Sabha seats that are going to be vacant from AP.
While one seat will be directly allocated to its party candidate, the BJP is preparing to allocate the other seat to JDS chief and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, a key NDA partner in Karnataka. Since Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also had a close relationship with Deve Gowda for a long time, the BJP is trying to get him a seat from TDP’s quota.
On its part, the BJP is likely to field former Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy as its candidate. On the other hand, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to stand as the Congress candidate from Telangana. Elections will be held for 72 seats in the Rajya Sabha in 2026.
YSRCP MPs Parimal Nathwani, Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy, Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose, and TDP MP Sana Satish will retire from AP. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who was elected from Telangana, and KR Suresh Reddy of BRS will also retire.
Among them, Singhvi seems almost certain to get a chance again. There is a campaign that Mallikarjuna Kharge, who is retiring, will contest in place of KR Suresh Reddy. Four seats are falling vacant from AP. There is talk that one of these seats should be reserved for former Prime Minister Deve Gowda.
It is reported that Sana Satish will get another chance from TDP due to his proximity with Nara Lokesh. From Jana Sena, the Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has reportedly already assured prominent industrialist Lingamaneni Ramesh to get him Rajya Sabha seat from his party. It seems candidates for all four seats from AP are almost certain, barring any last-minute changes.
