TDP picks Ramesh, Ramaiah for RS polls

Hyderabad March 11 (IANS) The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh has finalised its two nominees for the Rajya Sabha election.

Sitting MP (Rajya Sabha) C.M. Ramesh will be re-nominated in the general quota and senior TDP leader Varla Ramaiah has been nominated from the Dalit community. 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. --IANS str/pgh/ksk