BJP Selects Backward Class Leader Krishnaiah as Rajya Sabha Candidate for Andhra Pradesh
Click to start listening
Amaravati, Dec 9 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has declared Ryaga Krishnaiah, a prominent figure from the backward classes, as their nominee for the Rajya Sabha seat representing Andhra Pradesh.
Originally from Telangana, Krishnaiah was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha on a YSR Congress Party ticket in 2022 but decided to resign in September.
He indicated that his resignation was aimed at eliminating obstacles in fortifying the backward classes movement in Telangana.
The by-elections for three Rajya Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh are set to occur on December 20, following the recent resignations of Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao, Beedha Masthan Rao Yadav, and Ryaga Krishnaiah, all associated with YSRCP.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which has allocated one seat to its ally BJP, is expected to reveal candidates for the other two seats later today.
Currently, the party led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu lacks representation in the upper house of Parliament.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which includes TDP, is anticipated to secure all three seats based on its majority in the 175-member Assembly. TDP holds 135 seats, while its allies Jana Sena and BJP possess 21 and 8 seats, respectively.
On the other hand, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which lost its position to the NDA in the elections held in May, has a mere 11 MLAs.
Krishnaiah, who serves as the president of the National BC Association, was an unexpected pick by YSRCP, which previously enjoyed a substantial majority in Andhra Pradesh's Assembly. His current term was set to conclude on June 21, 2028.
Previously, Krishnaiah was elected to the Telangana Assembly from the L. B. Nagar constituency in 2014 on a TDP ticket but shifted allegiance to the Congress party just before the 2018 elections.
During the 2018 Assembly elections in Telangana, he ran unsuccessfully on a Congress ticket from the Miryalaguda constituency.
In 2019, he departed from the Congress party and joined YSRCP at the invitation of Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Following Krishnaiah's resignation, Congress MP Mallu Ravi visited him and encouraged him to rejoin the Congress party.
