Sitharaman likely to take Rajya Sabha route from AP

Hyderabad,  Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to be elected to Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh in the by-election slated for July 3.

The ruling Telugu Desam Party has decided to allot the lone seat to its alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party.

The by-election was caused due to the death of sitting MP N Janardhana Reddy of the Congress, whose term was originally supposed to end on June 21, 2016.

Since Sitharaman is currently not a member of Parliament, her name is tipped for the Rajya Sabha seat from AP where the TDP-BJP alliance has a comfortable majority of 108 members in the 175-member Assembly.

Official announcement about Sitharaman's candidature is expected to be made in the next couple of days when notification for the by-election will be issued, TDP sources said.

Last date for withdrawal of nominations is June 26 and election, if required, will be held on July 3.