Hyderabad: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the timeline for filling 37 vacant Rajya Sabha seats nationwide, including two from Telangana.
The formal notification will be out on February 26. Candidates can submit their nominations until March 5. Scrutiny will take place, and the last chance to withdraw is March 9. Voting is scheduled for March 16 from 9 am to 4 pm.
The two vacancies in Telangana are due to the terms ending for Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi and BRS member KR Suresh Reddy on April 9.
Sources from the Congress suggest Abhishek Manu Singhvi may be nominated again for one seat. The second seat is highly contested, with leaders from various groups actively seeking it.
Insiders note that Congress has recently appointed MPs like Renuka Chowdhury and M Anil Kumar Yadav, and MLCs such as B Mahesh Kumar Goud, indicating a balanced caste representation. Other community leaders now expect a Rajya Sabha seat.
From the Backward Classes (BCs), leaders like V Hanumantha Rao and Madhu Yashki Goud are contenders. K Keshava Rao, a former MP and advisor, is also interested.
Scheduled Castes (SCs) hopefuls include SA Sampath Kumar and Mothkupalli Narsimhulu.
In the Open Category (OCs), names like Vem Narender Reddy and T Jeevan Reddy are prominent. Women’s quota candidates include Nerella Sharada and Mogili Sunitha Rao.
BC leaders argue that one seat should go to their community, as Congress supports 42% BC reservations in local bodies. If both seats go to OC candidates, it might contradict this stance.
Justice Sudarshan Reddy is a strong contender, backed by his role in a committee that supported increased BC reservations and his participation in the Vice-President race.
A BC leader warns that giving both seats to OCs could harm the party’s reservation policy.
Many claimants are using party norms to support their bids. Some leaders, like V Hanumantha Rao, are pushing hard as they hold no current posts. Mothkupalli Narsimhulu is also seeking the position, although his chances are low, according to sources.
With the election nearing, attention turns to the Congress decision on the second candidate, which will aim to consider political, social, and strategic factors.
