With hectic lobbying on in the Telugu Desam Party for the two Rajya Sabha seats that will come its way in the biennial elections, party supremo Chandrababu Naidu is caught on the horns of a dilemma. As the Congress is perceived to be on the retreat nationally, Naidu is mulling about jumping on to the national scene. Towards that end, he would find it useful to nominate to the Upper House, candidates who can liaise effectively in the capital to promote the party’s cause. But most of the candidates lobbying hard, score poorly on this count. In view of this, Naidu can well spring a surprise at the last moment.
The dilemma for Naidu is that none of the sitting members: N Harikrishna, G Sudha Rani and YS Choudhary are articulate. Thus they are unable to represent the party’s case on the floor of the House. “The TDP chief is scouting for candidates who are acquainted with not only national politics, but also familiar with political leaders and corporate chiefs in New Delhi,” party sources said.
Though former minister Yerrannaidu,in spite of his poor oratorial skills, fits the bill partly, Naidu is believed to have asked him to concentrate on his native district Srikakulam. Here the opposition party is reeling under the impact of Jaganmohan Reddy and needs to rev up strongly by 2014. “Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, former speaker, finance minister and legislative affairs minister is in the fray,” said a close aide of Naidu. Yanamala belongs to the BC community. With the threat of the BCs moving towards the YSR Congress increasing by the day, by nominating Yanamala, Naidu can send a message across to the community that their future lies with the TDP, said the sources.
Moneybag CM Ramesh is trying hard for an RS nomination and has apparently assured the TDP chief that he would bear the election expenses of the 24 assembly seats where bypolls are scheduled in two phases. But there is strong opposition from within because he is seen as “too small time” whose nomination to the RS will affect the image of the party when Naidu is thinking big.
Yet another name under consideration is that of Bakkani Narasimhulu from Mahabubnagar. Bakkani is a loyal party activist for the last 30 years and has never aspired for any party or government post. Garikapati Rammohan Rao from Warangal district is also in the fray. He is the man behind the party programmes.
Analysts say that Naidu is also thinking of nominating a Muslim candidate in view of national calculations. Though hotelier Mohammed Saleem is trying hard for a seat, a stronger man in the reckoning could be editor of Siasat newspaper Zahed Ali Khan.
There is pressure on Naidu from the youth and intellectuals to nominate P Srikanth Reddy, an IT company owner. Besides being suave, Srikanth has the advantage of representing the Reddys and could take on Jagan against whom he contested in the 2009 polls.
Naidu perceives that in the 2014 elections, it will be a straight fight between TDP and YSR Congress in AP. Incidentally, the RS seat that is falling vacant is held by Mysura Reddy. But with an increased number of MLAs, the TDP will get two seats this time around.
–Agencies