Lobbying of “outsiders” to join Rajya Sabha from Karnataka Congress

Rajya Sabha file photo; Karnataka has a history of electing leaders from outside the state to the Rajya Sabha. | Photo credit: ANI

With the ruling Congress in Karnataka set to secure three of the four Rajya Sabha seats in the biennial elections scheduled for June 18, the party high command is believed to be considering nominating a Congress leader from abroad.

Sources in the party said three leaders from outside Karnataka — YS Sharmila, Supriya Shrinate and Pawan Khera — are lobbying the Congress leadership for a Rajya Sabha berth from the state.

Ms Sharmila merged her YSR Telangana party with the Congress in January 2024 and formally joined the party in the presence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi in the state capital. He is believed to be the front runner among the candidates.

Ms. Shrinate is currently the AICC President for Social Media and Digital Communications and is a prominent spokesperson for the party, often seen defending the Congress in televised debates. Mr. Khera was recently in the news in connection with a case filed against him by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife.

In the past

Karnataka has a history of electing leaders from outside the state to the Rajya Sabha. In 2024, the Congress nominated former Delhi Congress President Ajay Maken to the Upper House. The BJP has also fielded non-Karnataka leaders from the state, including Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Outgoing chief minister Siddaramaiah and chief minister-designate DK Shivakumar are expected to round up the party’s Rajya Sabha candidates during consultations with central leaders in New Delhi in the next few days.

Although some party leaders are said to favor sending Mr. Siddaramaiah to the Rajya Sabha, he has made it clear that he intends to remain active in state politics. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to seek re-election to the upper house.

KPCC general secretary Basavaraju AP is considered a front-runner if the party decides to nominate a candidate from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. Notably, no Congress leader from the community has been elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka in the last 25 years.

Congress leader BK Hariprasad’s term in the Legislative Council ends this month. While his name is also being mooted for Rajya Sabha nomination, party sources said he would like to secure another term in the Council and is also lobbying for a ministerial berth in the new government.

Council seats

Biennial elections to seven seats in the Legislative Council from the Electoral College of the Assembly will also be held on June 18. With the party ruling the state, sources said leaders are lobbying hard to become MLC members rather than Rajya Sabha members.

Elections would be held for seven seats. The ruling party is expected to comfortably secure four seats.

Published – 01 Jun 2026 19:15 IST