Abhishek Singhvi files nomination as Congress candidate for RS bypoll from Telangana

Referring to the disputes with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh following its bifurcation in 2014, CM Revanth Reddy said Singhvi's election would help in highlighting Telangana's concerns and problems not only in Parliament but also in courts.

Hyderabad: Noted Supreme Court lawyer and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Monday, filed his nomination papers as the party's candidate for the by-election to a Rajya Sabha seat that fell vacant in Telangana.

Singhvi was accompanied by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, state cabinet ministers, party's Telangana in charge Deepa Das Munshi, and other party senior leaders. On Sunday, a CLP meeting endorsed Singhvi's name for the Rajya Sabha seat that had fallen vacant following the resignation of K Kesava Rao, who had joined Congress after quitting BRS.

“Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave statutory rights to the promises made in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. None of the promises have been implemented. Several constitutional and legal complications arose in the implementation of the AP Reorganisation Act. The union government did not implement several provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act in the last 10 years," said Revanth Reddy in the CLP meeting that was held on Sunday.

"It requires strong arguments in the Legislature bodies as well as in the Supreme Court for the implementation of the Reorganization Act. That is why, I Requested the party high command to nominate Abhishek Manu Singhvi as Rajya Sabha MP from Telangana to make strong arguments and safeguard state interests under the AP Reorganisation Act,” he added.

At the CLP meeting on Sunday, Revanth Reddy introduced Abhishek Manu Singhvi to his fellow MLAs, highlighting his legal expertise in addressing contentious issues in Legislature Bodies and courts.

Singhvi is expected to win unopposed in the by-election that is scheduled for September 3, as the BRS and BJP did not field their candidates.