D Srinivas, suddenly disappeared from the political radar of Telangana. He was last seen in public on July 8, 2015 when, the two-time PCC president of united Andhra joined TRS in the presence of chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. He was later appointed advisor to the state government on interstate affairs. Though it looks very important assignment on the surface, the post removed him from the public sphere. Earlier, as PCC president, D Srinivas used to express views on the politics of the state and issues concerning people. He was one of the important political leaders in the state. But, in TRS there is no room for any free-wheeling discussions. Expressing opinions on political events is assigned to handful of aides of KCR. Leaders of D S ilk normally are not allowed to air political views. This happened even in the case of K Kesavarao, whose main political tool is his loud voice. Having seen how Kesavarao’s outspokenness has turned into his enemy, DS has been lying low.
Now, DS is in the news again, exactly after one year. According to media reports, the former Congress Nizambad satrap is the official choice of TRS for Rajya Sabha elections. KCR is said have cleared his name for upper house nomination. Election for two Rajya Sabha vacancies is scheduled to be held on June 11, 2016. According to media reports Kavita, Nizambad MP and daughter of chief minister KCR, is said to have backed the candidature of D Srinivas. Probably, Kavita might have thought that DS elevation to the Rajya Sabha level would help her garner the support from Munnuru Kapu voters in Nizambad district. Though D Srinivas suffered series of defeats in Nizambad Assembly constituency, one can’t dismiss him as spent-force. Kavita, who is nurturing a hope to make Nizambad Lok Sabha constituency her pocket borough like Siddipet and Sircilla assembly seats for Harish Rao and K T Ramarao respectively, willy-nilly has to take everybody on board. For DS a change place may prove auspicious. Things may improve politically. His son may become MLA in 2019.
According to party sources, besides Capt Lakshmikantha Rao, Damodar Rao, the name of water expert R Vidyasagar Rao is also under consideration. Some political JAC leaders expect, KCR may spring a surprise by nominating Prof Kodandaram to upper house, which looks as if their well wish rather than even a remote possibility.
