Ramesh may get RS berth, despite stiff opposition

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh is likely to be re-nominated for the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh despite stiff opposition from certain sections in the state Congress.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh is likely to be re-nominated for the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh despite stiff opposition from certain sections in the state Congress.

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The indication that the minister might be given another Rajya Sabha term from Andhra came after a meeting between Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and state leaders on Monday.

The detractors of Ramesh, who came under fire for his critical remarks in Beijing a fortnight ago on the home ministry’s approach towards the Chinese companies, have been opposing his re-nomination on the ground that he is an outsider.

Ramesh, a native of Karnataka, and four other Congress MPs are retiring from the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh on June 21.

With 156 legislators in the 294-member assembly, the Congress is likely to get only four seats this time while the TDP with 92 legislators is set to win two seats.

The party is expected to finalise the candidates only at the beginning of next month since June 4 is the last day for filing of nominations.

Along with Ramesh, another sitting member J.D. Seelam is also likely to be re-nominated. Seelam, a retired IAS officer, is seeking second term in the Rajya Sabha in the Scheduled Caste quota.

Backward Caste leader V. Hanumantha Rao, who also has the backing of Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, and state unit chief D. Srinivas are other major contenders for re-nomination.