The Rajya Sabha election buzz in Telangana reached a crescendo on Thursday when Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Vem Narender Reddy formally entered the fray as Congress candidates. Filing on the nomination deadline for the March 16 polls, they appeared before assembly Returning Officer Upendra Reddy, with Minister D. Sridhar Babu overseeing the formalities.
A robust show of support marked the occasion, featuring TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud alongside ministers, parliamentarians, and legislators, reflecting deep party solidarity. Singhvi’s re-nomination was a foregone conclusion, valued for his Supreme Court expertise and influential interventions that elevate Congress’s stature nationwide.
Narender Reddy’s inclusion as the second candidate breaks new ground for the Revanth Reddy confidant, bypassing several high-profile aspirants and affirming his advisory role in state governance. The polls fill seats vacated by Singhvi and K.R. Suresh Reddy, the latter heading BRS’s parliamentary contingent, effective April 9.
BRS’s decision to sit out guarantees smooth passage for the nominees. In the 119-seat assembly, Congress commands 66 MLAs, allied with CPI’s single member and AIMIM’s seven. BRS’s official 37 has been dented by 10 crossovers to Congress in 2024, leaving BJP with eight. This overwhelming majority translates to unchallenged success, fortifying Congress’s Senate footprint from Telangana.