Cong Goes By Mamata’s Playbook, Brings Back Renuka Chowdhury After 6 Years

The Congress which has fielded 10 candidates across seven states sprung a surprise by fielding former Union minister Renuka Chowdhury as one of its two nominees for Rajya Sabha from Telangana. The story of Renuka’s comeback in Rajya Sabha after a gap of six years almost seems to be taken out of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee’s playbook. Just as Mamata appointed Sushmita Dev after a gap of six months, the Congress with a nudge from Sonia Gandhi may have decided to fall back on Renuka. Yet, what surprised Telangana Congress about Renuka’s pick was that she had remained aloof from the party as she was preoccupied with attending to some issues in the family. During assembly elections last year she did help out the party with some press conferences. It is being said Renuka enjoys good equations with chief minister Revanth Reddy. Party sources feel Renuka could have been sent to the RS as deputy chief minister Mallu Bhatti Vikaramaka’s wife Nandini Mallu wishes to contest from Khammam Lok Sabha seat. Renuka has represented Khammam at least for two terms. Meanwhile, party treasurers have also got a boost. AICC treasurer Ajay Maken got a Rajya Sabha berth in Karnataka, while in Madhya Pradesh, the party decided to back treasurer Ashok Singh. Kamal Nath, who was demanding a RS seat was snubbed for playing footsie with the BJP.