No representation in Rajya Sabha from north Andhra since last 25 years

North Andhra districts demand Rajya Sabha representation after 25 years, urging NDA government to address regional issues.

North Andhra districts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam could not get representation in Rajya Sabha for the last 25 years, as per a study by academicians and political experts. In the backdrop of the resignation of V. Vijay Sai Reddy to Rajya Sabha, they suggested the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to allocate the seat for the backward districts so that the selected leader would be able to raise the issues of the region in the Upper House.

According to their studies, Cheepurupalli MLA Kala Venkata Rao was the last person selected to the Rajya Sabha 25 years ago. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) high command gave him an opportunity in April, 1998. Earlier, Congress party provided an opportunity for Kishore Chandra Deo to represent the party in the Upper House in April 1994. Majjji Tulasidas of Srikakulam district was also given the opportunity by Congress high command in April 1994 but he died in September, 1994. Palavalasa Rajasekharam represented the Congress Party in Rajya Sabha between 1976 and 1982.

Dr.B.R.Ambedkar University’s Assistant Professor Gunta Leela Vara Prasad who has written books on political history of Srikakulam district said that leaders of backward districts should be given an opportunity to raise their voice in Rajya Sabha. “Compared to Lok Sabha, members of Rajya Sabha would get more time to discuss the public issues. It will certainly make the government respond to the queries of the members. The issues of Vamsadhara phase-2, Uddanam kidney issue and others could be discussed at length when the opportunity is given to the leader from Srikakulam,” he added.

Vizianagaram Zilla Powra Vedika President Bhisetti Babji said successive governments represented by various parties had completely ignored Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts by denying Rajya Sabha seat to a leader from the region. “It is the right time for the Chandrababu led government to select a leader from this region for the Rajya Sabha seat vacated by Mr.Vijaya Sai Reddy. Then only, political justice will be done to most backward areas of the region,” he added.

Andhra Pradesh Intellectuals Forum Vice President Golivi Appala Naidu said that even Visakhapatnam district of North Andhra region was neglected in Rajya Sabha seats’ allocation in the last 15 years. According to him, Congress senior leader Dronam Raju Satyanarayana got the opportunity to be the member of Rajya Sabha between 1988 and 1994 and T.Subbirami Reddy between 2008 and 2014.

“Unfortunately, the parties have been selecting highly influential people and business persons as Rajya Sabha members for the last few decades. It is unfortunate. The leaders who can’t afford election expenditure in Lok Sabha elections are supposed to be given the opportunity in Rajya Sabha. Such was the aim of the Constitution makers. At least now, justice needs to be done to the North Andhra region,” he added.