D Srinivas, Lakshmikantha Rao Are TRS RS Candidates

The TRS today announced the names of two senior leaders - Captain Lakshmikantha Rao and Dharmapuri Srinivas - as its candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections due on June 11.

The announcement set aside the speculation that the TRS was also considering the names of Damodar Rao, a relative of TRS supremo K Chandrashekar Rao, and Metro India Chairman C L Rajam.

The Chief Minister finally zeroed in on Srinivas and Rao to represent the State in the Upper House in Parliament.

KCR, who is noted for giving due recognition to deserving Party leaders and activists with timely rewards in posts - nominated or political - is being said to have taken a wise decision by clearing the name of Lakshikantha Rao, who played a key role in the statehood movement and in strengthening the party.

Party MP from Nizamabad K Kavitha succeeded in convincing her father to finalize the name of D Srinivas for the RS seat. The Party hierarchy feels that DS' seniority with more than three decades in politics will help the TRS gain at the national level by raising the Telangana voice in the Rajya Sabha.

The TRS leadership also chose former minister Fariduddin for the MLC seat vacated by Roads & Buildings Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao upon his being elected as an MLA.

Finance Minister Etela Rajender and Home Minister Nayani Narsimha Reddy have been appointed as the election observers of the Party.