Sai Reddy, Krishnaiah finalised for Rajya Sabha

As expected, outgoing MP and YSR Congress party general secretary V Vijay Sai Reddy, is going to be nominated to Rajya Sabha for a second successive term from Andhra Pradesh.

Sai Reddy’s name has been finalised by party president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy after prolonged discussions with party seniors on Tuesday.

Though there is time till May 29 to select the candidates, Jagan decided to finalise the names as he is leaving for Switzerland for personal and official visits from next week.

According to sources, Jagan has approved the name of Sai Reddy, as the party needs latter’s services in New Delhi for lobbying for the state.

Though his name was expected, there was a talk that Jagan had second thoughts on giving him a second term; and instead, he might pick Y V Subba Reddy for the RS seat.

The other names that were almost finalised were: senior leader from Nellore Bida Mastan Rao, who defected from the TDP to the YSRC a couple of years ago; S Niranjan Reddy, senior advocate-cum-film producer and prominent BC leader R Krishnaiah.

The name of Mastan Rao has also been heard in the political circles as he was given a promise of RS seat at the time of defection itself.

Similarly, Niranjan Reddy, who has been arguing Jagan’s cases, has also been tipped for the RS seat for quite long time.

The surprising choice is Krishnaiah, a former MLA from TDP and a Telangna leader, who has now been moving closely with the YSR Congress. He has a good following in AP too.

Since the YSRC has massive strength in the assembly, all these four candidates will get elected unanimously.