The BJP has been increasing its political efforts in Andhra Pradesh, seeking to strengthen its grip while upholding its alliance commitments. One of the most important aspects of their strategy is obtaining Rajya Sabha seats, and the party is taking calculated steps in this regard. Having already chosen R. Krishnaiah as their candidate, the BJP has now set its sights on the Rajya Sabha seat that was vacated by YSRCP MP Sai Reddy.
Sai Reddy has recently quit his seat in the Rajya Sabha, and with the present majority in the state assembly, the seat is likely to fall to the ruling alliance. The Election Commission has already released the election timetable, and it appears very likely that the BJP will win the seat, as they had indicated earlier. There were speculations that the BJP may offer the seat again to Sai Reddy, but the party now clarified that they will not be doing so. Instead, they are going to nominate their own candidate for the seat.
Meanwhile, the BJP also kept its eye on the next Tamil Nadu assembly elections and has it high on the party’s national agenda. The BJP has formed an alliance with the AIADMK and appointed a new state president, Annamalai, replacing the former leadership. Amit Shah, during the alliance announcement, indicated that Annamalai’s expertise would be leveraged at the national level. According to sources, the BJP leadership has also made up their mind to make Annamalai contest a Rajya Sabha seat, with the intention of sending him from Andhra Pradesh to fill Sai Reddy’s vacancy. This is an indication of the party focusing on strengthening its hand in regional as well as national politics.