Tamil Nadu: DMK, AIADMK at allies' mercy to secure 6th Rajya Sabha seat

Test of alliances for Upper House seat to be precursor for Assembly polls

Published on:

30 Jan 2026, 2:20 am

CHENNAI: As six Rajya Sabha seats from Tamil Nadu are due to be vacant on April 1, both the ruling DMK and the principal Opposition AIADMK require allies' support to secure an additional seat each, beyond what they can win on their own.

The prevailing formula indicates that a candidate requires the support of 34 MLAs to be elected to the Upper House. Following the recent resignations and a demise, the DMK currently has 132 MLAs, while AIADMK has 62.

The outgoing members of Rajya Sabha include NR Elango, P Selvarasu, Tiruchi Siva and Kanimozhi Somu from the DMK, and M Thambidurai and GK Vasan from the AIADMK. DMK sources indicate that NR Elango and Tiruchi Siva are likely to be re-nominated.

With its present strength, the DMK can comfortably win three seats. A fourth seat is expected to go to Congress, in line with the alliance. The AIADMK, on its own, can secure one seat.

The contest for the sixth and final seat will depend on the alliance arithmetic. If the AIADMK secures the backing of the BJP and the Anbumani faction of the PMK, it could clinch the seat. Alternatively, the BJP or the PMK could field their own candidate with the support of AIADMK. The Anbumani faction of the PMK and the BJP together account for seven MLAs, making their support crucial.

If either the DMK or the AIADMK fields a candidate for the sixth seat without assured numbers, a contest involving voting among MLAs will be required.

Though the vacancies arise in April, Assembly officials said the election notification is likely to be issued in the first week of February, as the process usually begins about two months in advance.

Unlike general elections, the Rajya Sabha polls will be decided by MLAs casting their votes, marking another key political contest ahead of the ensuing Assembly election.