Hans News Service Hyderabad

BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao on Thursday appointed party MP Vaddiraju Ravichandra as the leader of the BRS Parliamentary Party and floor leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing KR Suresh Reddy, who recently retired.

Ravichandra, who was earlier serving as the deputy leader of the BRS Parliamentary Party in the Rajya Sabha, has been elevated to the post in recognition of his services to the party and the BC communities, party leaders said.

BRS leaders said KCR had nominated Ravichandra to the Rajya Sabha for a second term considering his contribution to the party. He was initially selected to fill the vacancy created after Dr Banda Prakash Mudiraj moved to the Legislative Council. Later, with KCR’s support, Ravichandra was elected to the Rajya Sabha for another term.

The BRS had four Rajya Sabha members — KR Suresh Reddy, D Damodar Rao, Dr Bandi Parthasaradhi Reddy and Vaddiraju Ravichandra. Following Suresh Reddy’s retirement, KCR appointed Ravichandra as the parliamentary party leader.

Ravichandra’s current Rajya Sabha tenure will continue until April 2030. He is also a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Coal and Mines.

Expressing gratitude to KCR and BRS working president KT Rama Rao, Ravichandra said he was humbled by the responsibility entrusted to him. He thanked the party leadership for giving him an opportunity to represent the BC community and serve as the parliamentary party leader.

Ravichandra assured that he would strongly raise the issues concerning Telangana in Parliament and work towards strengthening the party. He also expressed his commitment to the leadership of KCR and said he would strive to support the party’s efforts to bring KCR back as Chief Minister for a third term.