The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) nominated D Srinivas and V Lakshmikantha Rao as its candidates for coming Rajya Sabha elections. Currently DS is adviser to the state government on interstate issues. Srinivas was considered close to congress high command, but switched out to TRS after loosing consecutive elections in Nizamabad. It is rumored that DS joined TRS with a promise of Rajyasabha seat.

As per our sources, caste equations also played a major role in this. Kavita’s recommendation also gave an edge as there were a huge competition for two seats. TRS bigwigs decided to go with DS as this would help win Munnur Kapu votes in Nizamabad and Warangal. DS and V Lakshmikanta Rao would be replacing V Hanumantha Rao (Congress) and Gundu Sudha Rani (TDP), who crossed over to TRS last October.