Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is reportedly working on filling three vacant Rajya Sabha seats, with by-elections scheduled soon.
The seats became vacant following the resignations of three sitting members—Mopidevi Venkataramana, Beeda Mastan Rao, and R Krishnaiah—who also resigned from the YSR Congress Party.
Mopidevi and Beeda have since joined the TDP, with Naidu promising them prominent roles in the party and government. Krishnaiah, however, is yet to decide but is expected to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Out of these three vacant seats, one is expected to go to the Jana Sena Party, as per the alliance agreement. It is highly likely that Pawan Kalyan’s elder brother Nagababu will be nominated for this seat in the Rajya Sabha.
This leaves two seats for the TDP. While there is demand from the BJP for one of these seats, Naidu reportedly informed BJP leaders that another YSRCP MP may soon resign from Rajya Sabha, leaving a vacancy that could be filled by a BJP candidate.
For the two remaining TDP seats, there is speculation that Naidu may renominate Beeda Mastan Rao for one seat. If not, veteran leader P Ashok Gajapathi Raju or former MP Galla Jayadev could be considered.
For the second seat, reports suggest that Naidu is considering Nandamuri Suhasini, daughter of former MP Nandamuri Harikrishna and sister of actors Jr NTR and Nandamuri Kalyan Ram.
This move is seen as an attempt to repair ties with Harikrishna’s family, especially Jr NTR, who has been estranged from the party since his involvement in a previous election campaign.
"If Suhasini is nominated to Rajya Sabha, it could strengthen the relationship between the Nandamuri and Nara families, potentially bringing Jr NTR back into the TDP fold," sources said.
If Suhasini is not selected, Naidu may consider veteran leaders like Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Kambhampati Rammohan Rao, or Devineni Umamaheshwar Rao for the seat, according to sources.
