Nominees of DMK and AIADMK alliances elected to RS unopposed

All four candidates of the DMK-led front and two from the AIADMK alliance have been elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu on Monday, the last day for withdrawal of nominations. The candidates thus elected are: DMK veteran and five-time MP of the Upper House Trichy N Siva, who has been re-nominated and his party colleague and spokesperson Constantine Raveendran.

The other two supported by the DMK as part of a seat-sharing agreement are M Christopher Tilak of the Congress and LK Sudheesh of the DMDK. From the AIADMK, it is senior leader and former Union Minister M Thambidurai, who has been re-nominated, and PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, with the support of the AIADMK.

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The election was necessitated with the tenure of 6 MPs from the state coming to an end. Those whose term ends by April 2, are Trichy N Siva, N R Elango, Kanimozhi NVN Somu, Anthiyur P Selvaraj, all from the DMK, M Thambidurai of the AIADMK and Tamil Maanila Congress president GK Vasan, elected with the support of AIADMK.

Interestingly, the Congress sealed the seat-sharing agreement on the eve of filing of nominations and was allotted a Rajya Sabha berth and the party had fielded AICC secretary Christopher Tilak, surprising many.

For the polling slated for March 16, scrutiny was held on March 6 during which the nominations of independents found not in order were rejected. On the last day for withdrawal, the dummy candidates have withdrawn their papers, making it a smooth sail for the 6 candidates to be elected without a contest. Tamil Nadu has seldom witnessed cross voting and candidates fielded by the respective parties have been returned to the Rajya Sabha.