Andhra Pradesh: TDP Nominates Masthan Rao and Sana Satish for Rajya Sabha
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Amaravati, Dec 9 (NationPress) The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has put forward Beedha Masthan Rao and Sana Satish as its candidates for the upcoming bye-elections to the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh.
TDP president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu officially approved the nominations of Masthan Rao and Satish just one day prior to the deadline for nominations for the December 20 bye-elections concerning three seats.
The TDP has allocated one seat to its coalition partner BJP, which intends to nominate R. Krishnaiah, a leader from the backward classes, who is originally from Telangana.
The vacancies arose due to the recent resignations of Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao, Masthan Rao Yadav, and Krishnaiah, all of whom were members of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
Both Mopidevi and Masthan Rao joined the TDP after departing from the YSRCP in August, while Krishnaiah expressed his commitment to fortifying the backward class movement.
Mopidevi's term was set to last until June 21, 2026, while the terms of the other two were scheduled to conclude on June 21, 2028.
Masthan Rao, a prominent industrialist, and Krishnaiah will be returning to the Rajya Sabha, whereas Satish, transitioning from business to politics, will mark his inaugural entry as a Member of Parliament.
Masthan Rao had previously left the TDP to join the YSRCP in 2019, shortly after the YSRCP's significant electoral triumph. In 2022, Jagan Mohan Reddy appointed him to the Rajya Sabha.
Masthan Rao was first elected as an MLA on the TDP ticket from Kavali in 2009 but faced defeat in the 2014 elections. He also ran unsuccessfully for the Nellore Lok Sabha constituency on a TDP ticket in 2019.
The election of all three candidates from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the TDP, is expected to be unanimous, given its dominance in the 175-member Assembly. The TDP boasts 135 members, while its supporting parties, Jana Sena and BJP, hold 21 and 8 seats respectively.
In contrast, the YSRCP, which lost control to the NDA in the elections held in May, has a mere 11 MLAs.
The successful election of Masthan Rao and Satish will enable the TDP to regain its presence in the upper house of Parliament.
Previously, the TDP refrained from participating in the Rajya Sabha elections held in February this year due to insufficient numbers in the Assembly. This marked a historic moment, as the TDP had no representation in the Rajya Sabha for the first time in its four-decade existence.
