Hyderabad: The Rajya Sabha election in Telangana gathered momentum after senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao openly staked claim for one of the two seats from the State. He said his long service and loyalty to the party should weigh in his favour.
Two seats are set to fall vacant from Telangana. Within the Congress, aspirants have intensified efforts to secure the nomination. Since the party holds the numbers, leaders view the ticket as a near-certain entry to Parliament.
Speaking in Delhi, VH recalled that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had stated during DCC training in Vikarabad that opportunities would go only to those who work for the party. AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, he noted, had conveyed a similar message.
Rajya Sabha election triggers intense lobbying in Congress
He maintained that he has remained active in party affairs and sought recognition based on ability. More criminal cases were registered against him in the past decade than against many others, he claimed. Despite that, he said he never retreated.
Describing himself as a Congress foot soldier loyal to the Indira Gandhi family, he expressed faith in the high command. According to him, several party workers have called urging him to pursue the Rajya Sabha election opportunity. However, he said he advised them to continue working and leave the decision to the leadership.
He pointed out that he had not held any post in the last ten years. Earlier setbacks, he added, did not deter him from carrying the party flag.
For his candidature, he met Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and later AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. He also wrote to Sonia Gandhi seeking consideration.
Expressing hope as a backward class leader, he said the party should back strong individuals to expand nationally. If positioned in Delhi, he added, he could coordinate with leaders from other States to strengthen the organisation.