Published Jun 06, 2026 | 10:51 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 06, 2026 | 10:51 PM
Nara Lokesh. Credit: x.com/naralokesh
Synopsis: Nara Lokesh’s influence is evident in the selection of Rajya Sabha candidates. While Sana Satish is a long-time associate of the TDP scion, Chintakayala Vijay has been considered one among the young leaders being groomed for bigger roles when Lokesh takes over the party’s mantle from his father, N Chandrababu Naidu.
After witnessing days of intense lobbying, the TDP on Saturday, 6 June, announced its Rajya Sabha candidates.
It has decided to re-nominate retiring member Sana Satish, educationist Bhashyam Ramakrishna and a younger face, Chintakayala Vijay, as its candidates.
The selection of candidates reflected the growing influence of the TDP scion and minister, Nara Lokesh.
The TDP is contesting in three seats, while the Jana Sena Party will take the remaining one.
The BJP had earlier given up its claim for a seat since it had got one in the previous Rajya Sabha election. Additionally, the exit of Tamil Nadu’s former party chief K Annamalai, too, prompted the BJP not to contest the polls.
Satish was sent to the Upper House on a truncated term one-and-a-half years ago. A second term was always certain for Satish, a long-time associate of Lokesh.
The party leadership, including Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, has been happy with the performance of Satish in ensuring a good equation between the state and the Centre. Quite active in the Delhi circuit, Satish, a member of the Kapu community, has been effectively liaising with the Centre on state-related issues.
Ramakrishna, Kamma by caste, is a prominent educationalist and entrepreneur who founded the Bhashyam group, a private educational network with operations in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He was among those who financially helped the TDP ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections.
Vijay is the son of Andhra Assembly Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu. A backward class member from north coastal Andhra, Vijay has been active in the TDP for more than a decade and figures among the younger leaders being groomed to sail with Lokesh as the latter prepares to take the mantle over from Naidu.
The TDP had witnessed intense lobbying for the Rajya Sabha seats.
