Will BRS put up candidate for Rajya Sabha polls?

The BRS, which dominated the Telangana politics and rode like a colossus till 2023, is now a worried party. It is facing the first biggest challenge after it lost power in the 2023 assembly elections.

What will be its strategy for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. With the term of three of its Rajya Sabha MPs coming to an end, the BRS is now not in a position to get any of its candidates elected.

Not just that. It is afraid that some of its MLAs could defect and cross-vote to the Congress candidate enabling its to win all the three seats. Hence, one strong section in the party is said to be suggesting to opt out of the elections. By not putting up the candidate, the BRS will have a face-saver, they argue.

Already five of its sitting MLAs, including former minister Sunitha Lakshma Reddy, have met Revanth Reddy. Though these MLAs claimed that the meet was meant to take up the issues pertaining to their respective constituencies, not many tend to believe this.

There are reports that many more BRS MLAs are in touch with the Congress leaders and could cross-vote at the last moment.

The BRS needs 26 votes to get one Rajya Sabha MP elected on its ticket. The party now has 39 seats, which is well over the required number. But, the party leadership feels that the Congress might spring a surprise and make over 15 MLAs to cross vote. This could leave the BRS with the ignominy of a defeat as well as a serious loss of face.