The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh has finalised its two nominees for the Rajya Sabha election.
Sitting MP (Rajya Sabha) CM Ramesh will be re-nominated in the general quota. Advocate Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar has also been nominated.
Party president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had held consultations with the party's second rung leaders for three days before taking the final decision.
Beeda Mastan Rao, another senior leader tried his best for nomination to the Rajya Sabha till the last minute but withdrew after Naidu reportedly assured him of importance in the Assembly elections.
Initially, the TDP thought of fielding three candidates in the fray for the Rajya Sabha polls.
However, in view of the changed political scenario following its withdrawal of two ministers from the Narendra Modi-led cabinet, the TDP settled for two.
With this, the elections in Andhra may be unanimous.
Last week, the TDP withdrew its two Central Ministers P Ashok Gajapathi Raju (Civil Aviation) and YS Chowdary (Minister of State for Science and Technology) from the government, protesting the refusal of the Centre to oblige its demands for grant of special category status to Andhra Pradesh along with some other benefits.
BJP Ministers Kamineni Srinivas (Medical and Health) and P. Manikyala Rao (Endowments) also resigned from the Chandrababu Naidu government the same day.
However, the resigning union ministers said that the TDP would continue to be part of the BJP-led NDA government but none of its members would hold ministerial positions.
“A considerable amount of time has already lapsed. The sentiments of the Andhra has to be addressed by Chandrababu Naidu, and in these circumstances, unless we support our people, we hear them out and work for it, it does not make sense. We will continue to be a part of the NDA, but not take up any ministerial positions. I don't think there is anything wrong in that,” YS Chowdary told reporters.
IANS inputs