Ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh is planning a master stroke against the opposition YSRCP. If the plan were to be effectively executed, according to sources in the party, the YSR candidate would be defeated in the ensuing Rajya Sabha elections. The elections to the four vacancies in the Rajay Sabha are expected to be held in May.
The vacancies are arising out of the retirement of Nirmala Sitaraman, Sujana Chowdary, Jayaram Ramesh and J D Seelam. Out of the four, with the current strength in the house, two parties, TDP and YSRCP will comfortably win three and one respectively. But, TDP , which has lured eight members into its fold, is hopeful of getting few more members before the polling date, which is yet to be announced . A candidate needs the support of at least 43 MLAs to get elected to the Rajya Sabha in the first round of elections. With its present strength plus BJP plus defector MLAs the TDP is sure to win three seats. Similarly, the YSR Congress, even though its number fell from 67 to 59, following the defections, can get its nominee elected to the Rajya Sabha.
It’s a open secret that YSR Congress is planning to send Jagan’s business affairs advisor and now party leader Vijaya Sai Reddy to Rajya Sabha. TDP has a grouse against Vijaya Sai Reddy as he was responsible for the managing accounts of numerous companies owned allegedly by Jagan which were scrutinized by CBI. So, the party is determined the defeat the chartered accountant turned politician at any cost.
The ruling party , according to sources, is on a mission of ‘wholesale’ mobilization of YSRC MLAs into TDP. This operation is said to have already begun and the party is hopeful of successful execution of project by the time the election of commission of India notifies the Rajya Sabha election. TDP sources said the party’s objective is not to see their nominees elected, but to ensure that the YSRC is defeated. TDP sources claim party is in touch with even the deputy leader of YSRC in Assembly Jyothula Nehru.
TDP is said to have identified a couple of candidates who have sufficient ‘power’ to take a plunge into the risky election. If the crossing over of twenty or so MLAs is not possible then, the party is devising an alternative strategy. But, YSRCP is also equally confident of defeating the designs of TDP. “Even though there is no whip in Rajya Sabha elections, the elections are held in open ballot system. So, defying the party decision is difficult for MLAs. Then those who defied the party direction are liable to be disqualified,” YSRC sources said.
The whips during Budget session have got fizzled out by the effective strategy of TDP in Assembly. What would be the strategy of TDP for RS elections? The election is going to present a curious spectacle for the watchers of Andhra politics.
