Congress, TDP, TRS candidates file papers for Rajya Sabha elections

Hyderabad: Three candidates of Congress party, two of TDP and one from TRS Tuesday filed nominations for Rajya Sabha elections from Andhra Pradesh. T Subbarami Reddy, KVP Ramachandra Rao and MA Khan, who were re-nominated by the Congress party, filed their papers before legislature secretary Raja Sadaram, who is the returning officer for the polls. Telugu Desam Party`s T Sitarama Lakshmi and G Mohan Rao, who were nominated for the upper house for the first time, also filed their nominations. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader K Keshava Rao was the first to file his papers. Tuesday is the last day for filing of nominations for six Rajya Sabha seats. Elections, if necessary, will be held Feb 7. It was still not clear if Congress rebels from Seemandhra will be fielding a candidate. AICC secretaries RC Khuntia and Thirunavakarsu, who arrived in Hyderabad to ensure victory of official candidates, have warned that action would be taken against those who sign the nomination papers of independent candidates. TDP late Monday night named Lakshmi and Mohan Rao as its candidates, leaving some top leaders disappointed. TDP founder NT Rama Rao`s son N Harikirshna, who had resigned from Rajya Sabha last year to protest centre`s decision to bifurcate the state, senior leaders S Chandramohan Reddy and M Narasimhulu were the aspirants and they left the politburo meeting presided by party president N Chandrababu Naidu in a huff. Lakshmi is president of TDP`s West Godavari district unit and her choice came as a surprise to the party leaders. Mohan Rao hails from Warangal district in Telangana region. Congress Monday announced three candidates and it is likely to support Keshava Rao for the fourth seat. Subbarami Reddy was nominated for the third consecutive term while Ramachandra Rao and Khan are set to enter the upper house for the second term in a row.

Out of the six seats which fell vacant, five were held by Congress and one by TDP.