Rama Krishna Sangem
BJP has picked R Krishnaiah as its candidate for Rajya Sabha by-elections from Andhra Pradesh, mainly to consolidate OBC votes in both the Telugu speaking states – AP and Telangana. Krishnaiah a few weeks before resigned to his RS seat which he won from YSR Congress. Many political observes thought that he would be fielded again to the RS seat from TDP. But, surprisingly, Krishnaiah joined BJP to to to the Upper House.
Of the three RS seats for which by-polls are now held, two will go to TDP and one for its ally, BJP. The TDP combine has enough strength – 164 MLAs in the assembly of 175 MLAs. TDP fielded Beeda Mastan Rao and Sana Satish for these two seats. BJP chose to take Krishnaiah into its fold and make him an RS MP. Krishnaiah who first got elected to RS in 2022 with the help of then CM Jagan would be completing his term till 2028, as this is a by-election.
Face of OBCs
70 year Krishnaiah hails from Rangareddy district in Telangana has emerged as the face of BCs or OBCs in the combined AP over the years. He has no particular political affiliations with any party. A veteran of Osmania University as student activist since early 1980s, he mostly was involved in the scholarship movements of BC students. But, he befriended with all parties as a matter of fact for solving BCs problems. He was elected on TDP ticket to the Telangana assmbly in 2014.
But, later dissociated with it and came close to then AP CM YS Jagan. He even canvased for Jagan in the 2019 elections which helped him get an RS seat in 2022. As Jagan finished very badly in 2024 elections, Krishniah switched sides and quit his seat at the behest of TDP leadership. But, wanted him to come to the RS through its ticket. Krishnaiah openly said that he quit RS seat to further the interests of the OBCs.
How far he can achieve that is not known, but certainly BJP will be utilizing him to consolidate its OBC votes in Telangana and of course, in AP. In Telangana, BJP is trying hard to come to power by mobilizing OBCs and Madigas – a dominant section of SCs.
