The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections for two seats from Telangana have sparked intense political speculations over who would get the nomination from the state.
The Election Commission will issue the notification on Thursday, with the deadline for filing nominations set for March 5.
The Congress party currently has the numerical strength to secure one seat comfortably. However, it will require support from other parties to win the second seat.
With the backing of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Congress may have a viable path to securing the second seat as well.
There is also speculation that the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) may field a minority candidate, although no official announcement has been made.
Congress sources indicated that if BRS enters the fray, the ruling party will take a cautious approach in finalising its candidate for the second seat.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has eight MLAs in the Telangana Assembly, is unlikely to extend support to any party, thereby limiting its direct influence on the outcome.
Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi is almost certain to be renominated for one of the Rajya Sabha seats.
Party leadership has reportedly decided to give him another term, noting that he has served only two years in the Upper House.
Speculation had circulated about the possible candidature of Justice Sudarshan Reddy for the second seat.
However, party insiders dismissed these reports, stating that he has not sought the position and may not be considered, especially if the election becomes competitive.
Several senior Congress leaders are believed to be in contention for the second seat.
According to sources, chief minister A Revanth Reddy is seriously lobbying for his advisor and close aide Vem Narender Reddy, though others like V Hanumantha Rao, Madhu Yaskhi Goud, T Jeevan Reddy, G Chinna Reddy, Vinay Kumar, Harkara Venugopal and Shabbir Ali, are also in the fray.
Narender Reddy, who has served as a key link between the government and party over the past two years, is seen as a strong contender.
As chief minister’s advisor, he has played an active role in coordinating the Jubilee Hills by-election as well as panchayat and municipal polls.
Given the number of aspirants, the Congress leadership is likely to constitute a committee comprising the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president and select ministers to finalise the shortlist of candidates.