Amaravati: TDP candidate Varla Ramaiah files nomination for Rajya Sabha

Amaravati: Opposition TDP's Varla Ramaiah on Friday filed his nomination for the biennial election to the Rajya Sabha from the state. The TDP stands no chance of winning even one seat as it has only 23 MLAs but it nevertheless chose to field its candidate, playing the Dalit card.

The TDP's entry into the fray, however, makes election inevitable when the ruling YSRCP hoped it would be a unanimous affair. Four candidates of the YSRCP already filed nominations for as many seats, elections for which are scheduled for March 26.

Given its strength of 151 in the 175-member AP Assembly, the YSRC will comfortably bag all the four seats. The TDP, for the record, has 23 MLAs in Assembly but three of them rebelled against the party. Though they did not formally join the YSRCP, the three MLAs have been virtually sailing with it. In all, four seats in the Upper House of Parliament will fall vacant from Andhra Pradesh on April 9 when the sitting members retire at the end of their six-year term. Filing of nominations ended on Friday and scrutiny will take place on March 16. Last date for withdrawal is March 18.