Uncertainty has been prevailing for the past six months regarding the position to be given to Jana Sena Party leader and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Konidela Nagababu’s brother.
Having sacrificed his chances of becoming an MP or MLA for the sake of the alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the previous elections, the question of what role he should be assigned after the government's formation remains a major issue.
After foregoing the opportunity to become a Rajya Sabha member a couple of months ago in favor of the BJP, TDP president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu publicly announced his decision to induct Nagababu into the Andhra Pradesh cabinet and later nominate him to the state legislative council.
However, Pawan Kalyan recently added to the uncertainty by stating that there is no rush to induct Nagababu into the cabinet and that he should first become a member of the state legislative council. This statement made it clear that Nagababu would have to wait until a vacancy arises in the council.
Now, even this decision appears to be under reconsideration.
According to reports, instead of a ministerial position, Nagababu might be projected as the alliance’s candidate for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat, which arose following the resignation of YSR Congress Party MP V. Vijay Sai Reddy.
Though reports from New Delhi suggest that the BJP is strongly pushing for the Rajya Sabha seat, Naidu might try to convince the BJP’s national leadership to allow Nagababu’s nomination, as his appointment has been long overdue.
Sources indicate that while it would be easy for Naidu to induct Nagababu into the state cabinet, doing so might cause embarrassment for Pawan Kalyan, as it would mean two members from the same family holding cabinet positions.
It is not uncommon for two family members to serve in the same cabinet—currently, Naidu and his son, Nara Lokesh, are both in the Andhra Pradesh cabinet. However, Pawan Kalyan fears that such a move might invite criticism, given the Jana Sena Party’s limited representation in the assembly.
Since Nagababu has always aspired to become an MP, sending him to the Rajya Sabha instead of the cabinet would help avoid accusations of nepotism while also ensuring Jana Sena’s representation in the upper house.
“If Naidu and Pawan Kalyan can convince the BJP’s national leadership, Nagababu will enter the Rajya Sabha,” sources said.
