TDP finalises three out of 4 MLCs under MLAs’ quota

Amaravati: The TDP has finalised three out of four MLC tickets under MLAs’ quota. It also finalised another two under Governor's quota. There are altogether 10 MLC seats vacant in the AP Legislative Council and two more expected. Election commission has already released notification for MLCs election. 

It is learnt that Minority leader from Nellore town Abdul Aziz would be nominated as MLC under the Governor’s quota. In fact, he has been demanding Nellore rural ticket to contest in the ensuing general elections. 

Since, the competition for that Assembly segment from the TDP leaders in the district is very high, the party high command has reportedly taken this decision to give MLC seat to Aziz. 

The second seat under the Governor’s quota would be given to any leader suggested by Minister C Adinarayana Reddy, either from his family or from his followers in Kadapa district.

It is known that the sitting MLC P Ramasubba Reddy resigned to the post recently, as part of the assurance from TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu that he would be allowed to contest as MLA from Jammalamadugu Assembly constituency. 

Naidu convinced Adinarayana Reddy to contest for Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency only after giving him assurance regarding MLC seat. Hence, the MLC ticket will be reserved for Adinarayana Reddy’s family.

With regard to MLC seats under MLAs’ quota, sitting MLC and Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu is going to be re-nominated. His tenure is going to end by March. Sources in the party headquarters informed that Chandrababu Naidu gave assurance to Ramakrishnudu over the MLC ticket. 

Another MLC ticket under the MLAs’ quota to likely be given to NGO’s leader Ashok Babu, who recently resigned to his government job and is waiting for the MLCs’ election notification. 

The TDP national president promised him the MLC ticket in this term. Candidature of APSRTC chairman Varla Ramaiah has also been finalised, as he was given assurance during the last Rajya Sabha elections. He will contest from MLAs quota. 

Even though there are nine MLC seats vacant at present - which include two under Governor’s quota, five to be elected by MLAs, two MLCs to be elected by Graduates in Guntur - Krishna Constituency and East and West Godavari Constituency. Another MLC should be elected by the Teachers Constituency of north Andhra Pradesh. 

The TDP has decided not to contest in the Graduates and Teachers constituency elections. As the general elections are very near, the party high command has been of the view that these election results may impact the general elections - which are crucial for TDP at this moment. 

Out of the five MLC vacancies under the MLAs quota, the TDP will get 3 easily and YSRCP will get 1 MLC. At the same time, considering the defected MLAs of 23 from YSRCP to TDP, the TDP secured the advantage to win another MLC. Hence, TDP will get four MLCs from MLAs voting. The YSRCP gave opportunity to BC leader Janga Krishnamurthy from Guntur district, who has already filed his nomination papers.    

The ruling TDP is also ensuing proper balance among all major castes while giving the MLC tickets. In fact, Naidu has been adopting this policy while filling up MLC posts for quite some time.

TDP is giving opportunity to Ramakrishnudu from BCs, Aziz from minorities, Adinarayana Reddy followers representing Reddys and Ashok Babu who represents Kapus. At the same time the party also has been ensuring regional balance. 

The TDP thus needs to finalise only one MLC candidate under the MLAs quota. There are several aspirants from the party for the seat. Leaders working in the State party including Koneru Suresh, Lanka Dinakar, P Anuradha, LVSRK Prasad, new recruit in the party Sadineni Yamini Sarma and several others.

The party sources informed that at least one ticket will be given to the Kamma caste. At the same time, the sources added that there is possibility to give at least an MLC to a woman.