Telangana Congress Endorses Singhvi for Rajya Sabha Bypoll; Nomination on Monday

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Telangana endorsed Abhishek Singhvi's candidature for the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypoll on Sunday night. Singhvi, a senior lawyer and Congress leader, will file his nomination papers on Monday. Telangana Chief Minister and state Congress president A Revanth Reddy introduced Singhvi to Congress MLAs, MPs, and MLCs during the CLP meeting.

Singhvi's Nomination and Support

Reddy expressed his wholehearted invitation to Singhvi, emphasising that his election would help highlight Telangana's concerns and issues in both Parliament and courts. "I wholeheartedly invite him on behalf of Telangana as Rajya Sabha member," Reddy stated. The CLP meeting also conveyed gratitude to the Congress leadership for finalising Singhvi's candidature.

Earlier in the day, Singhvi met Congress leader K Keshava Rao. Rao's resignation from the Upper House after leaving the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to join Congress necessitated the bypoll. "It is my honour to have been nominated from Telangana," Singhvi told reporters.

Congress Strength in Telangana

The strength of Congress in the 119-member Telangana Legislative Assembly stands at 65. Since last year's assembly elections, about 10 MLAs from BRS have joined the ruling Congress, with BRS seeking their disqualification. Rao expressed confidence that the bypoll would be unanimous due to the ruling Congress's majority in Telangana.

Singhvi also met with Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and other Congress leaders in Hyderabad. Upon his arrival at the airport on Sunday morning, he was welcomed by Congress MP Mallu Ravi, Telangana Congress working president Mahesh Kumar Goud, state government advisor on protocol Harkara Venugopal, and others.

Upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections

The Congress had announced Singhvi's candidature for the bypoll in Telangana on August 14. Elections for 12 Rajya Sabha seats across nine states, including Telangana, are scheduled for September 3. Earlier this year, Singhvi lost the Rajya Sabha election from Himachal Pradesh. BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan won through a draw of lots after both candidates secured 34 votes each.

Singhvi shared his experience on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Received warm welcome by INC Telangana leaders. Reached here today to campaign for RS elections." His election is seen as a strategic move to safeguard Telangana's rights and address disputes with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh following its bifurcation in 2014.

The endorsement of Singhvi's candidature by the CLP reflects a unified front within the party as they prepare for the upcoming bypoll.