Chandrababu Naidu’s party set for Rajya Sabha comeback in Andhra Pradesh bypolls

Vijayawada : The Election Commission of India announced by-elections to fill three vacant Rajya Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh, following the resignations of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) members Mopidevi Venkataramana, Beeda Masthan Rao, and R Krishnaiah.

Yadav and Krishnaiah resigned with four years left in their terms, while Rao had two years remaining. This leaves the YSRCP with only eight Rajya Sabha members, as the resignations dealt a significant blow to the party.

This past June, the TDP-led NDA alliance comfortably won a strong Assembly majority of 164 seats: 135 seats for Telugu Desam Party (TDP), 21 for Jana Sena and eight for the Bharatiya Janata Party. The alliance is, thus, expected to capture all three Rajya Sabha seats in the by-polls scheduled for December 20. 

The YSRCP, lacking the required numbers, is unlikely to contest.

The TDP, currently has no Rajya Sabha representation; a first for the party in nearly 40 years. A situation the party hopes to reverse in these elections, unlike earlier this year when the TDP refrained from contesting the Rajya Sabha elections due to lack of sufficient number of MLAs.

Counting of votes is also set for December 20.

Venkata Ramana and Rao resigned from the Upper House of Parliament on August 29, which was accepted by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. 

Ramana and Masthan announced their decisions to join the TDP shortly after their resignation.