For, Ranga Rao has not been taking active part in the Congress affairs in the State; nor does the PCC invite him to any meeting. Even in 2004 Assembly elections, neither Ranga Rao nor his brother Rajeshwar Rao was given party ticket. When P V Narasimha Rao died, there were allegations that the Congress had not shown much interest in conducting funeral. The Congress high command had not even agreed to convert PV's house in Delhi as his memorium. And to top it all, the recent remarks by Rahul Gandhi blaming the Babri Masjid demolition on Narasimha Rao showed the utter contempt Sonia Gandhi family had towards the former Prime Minister.

At this stage, it was definitely a surprise that Ranga Rao could get the MLC nomination. Gandhi Bhavan sources say Rahul Gandhi's comments had created a flutter in the State political circles in general and the Congress leaders in particular. There were indications that this would snowball into another "Self-respect for Telugus" movement and that the Opposition parties are trying to blow it up as a "family rule" issue. It then struck to the PCC president K Kesava Rao that an MLC seat to one of the family members of Narasimha Rao would neutralise this impact to some extent. He recommended the same to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (once a staunch follower of PV), who prevailed upon Sonia Gandhi to grant one seat to PV family. That is how, Ranga Rao emerged as a dark horse in the Council!!