Jana Sena Picks Lingamaneni Ramesh for Rajya Sabha, Strengthening NDA’s Parliamentary Presence in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati, June 2026 : The Jana Sena Party has officially nominated senior leader Lingamaneni Ramesh as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant political milestone for the party within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state.

The decision was approved by Jana Sena President and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Friday. The party announced that Ramesh will file his nomination papers on Saturday for the elections scheduled later this month.

According to a statement issued by Jana Sena, Ramesh has been closely associated with both the party and Pawan Kalyan since 2015. The party described him as a committed leader who has remained loyal to its ideology and vision through challenging political phases.

Jana Sena noted that Ramesh was inspired by Pawan Kalyan’s belief that Andhra Pradesh can achieve sustainable progress only through social harmony, inclusive development, and balanced representation of various communities. The party said his long-standing commitment to these principles played a crucial role in his selection.

The announcement also reflects Jana Sena’s approach of rewarding leaders who stood firmly with the organisation during difficult times. Party leaders pointed out that several members who remained loyal despite the disappointing results in the 2019 elections and resisted political pressures have been recognised through nominations and key appointments.

The Rajya Sabha nomination, according to party insiders, follows the same principle. Ramesh’s consistent support for the party over the years and his unwavering faith in its leadership were among the major factors considered while finalising the candidate.

Soon after the announcement, Ramesh expressed gratitude to Pawan Kalyan for reposing confidence in him. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for supporting his candidature as part of the NDA alliance arrangement.

Describing the nomination as a responsibility rather than a reward, Ramesh said he would work to represent the aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh in Parliament.

“I consider this not merely a position but a major responsibility entrusted to me. I will strive to ensure that the concerns and aspirations of ordinary citizens are effectively voiced in the Rajya Sabha,” he said.

The nomination comes after alliance partners in Andhra Pradesh finalised a seat-sharing arrangement for the four Rajya Sabha vacancies arising from the state. Under the agreement, the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will contest three seats, while the fourth seat has been allocated to Jana Sena.

Given the NDA’s overwhelming majority in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, all four candidates backed by the alliance are expected to secure victory comfortably. In the 175-member Assembly, the TDP holds 135 seats, while Jana Sena and the BJP have 21 and 8 members respectively. The opposition YSR Congress Party is left with only 11 legislators.

The Rajya Sabha vacancies have arisen due to the retirement of four members whose terms conclude on June 21. The outgoing members include Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy, Parimal Nathwani, and Pilli Subhas Chandra Bose from the YSR Congress Party, along with Sana Satish Babu of the TDP.

Political observers view Ramesh’s nomination as a reflection of Jana Sena’s growing influence within the NDA and its expanding role in Andhra Pradesh’s political landscape following the alliance’s sweeping victory in the 2024 elections. His entry into the Upper House is expected to give the party a stronger voice in national policymaking while reinforcing its position as a key partner in the state’s ruling coalition.