Rajya Sabha seats fail to figure in discussions

Tamil Nadu, with the total strength of 18 Rajya Sabha seats, sends six representatives from the state, once in two years and this year, the tenure of six representatives concludes on July 24. Among the six representatives four were from AIADMK and two from DMK.

However, due to the recent electoral mandate in bypolls, the DMK had gained one additional seat in Rajya Sabha and now the opposition party will elect three MPs. On the other hand, AIADMK had lost a seat and can now elect only three MPs to Rajya Sabha.

Among the three seats, the AIADMK had already promised one for the PMK while sealing the pact before the recently conducted Parliamentary elections. There were also reports that, after the elections, the BJP is stressing AIADMK for a Rajya Sabha seat. Under the circumstances, senior party leaders are involved in an in-fight for grabbing a single seat. Party sources who attended the meeting said that they were expecting the party leadership to discuss the allocation of Rajya Sabha seat, but there was no mention about the issue in the meeting.

“Even the issue of BJP alliance and the national party demanding a Rajya Sabha seat was not discussed in the meeting,” said sources.

Another source close to Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, said that though many senior leaders have demanded Rajya Sabha seat, Panneerselvam had promised a seat for one of the party seniors Tamizh Magan Hussain, at the recent meeting. “The election for Rajya Sabha seats will be held towards the end of this month and Panneerselvam had promised Tamizh Magan Hussain that he will propose his name,” said sources. Apart from Tamizh Magan Hussain, other senior leaders, Thambidurai, Gokula Indira, Anwar Raja and Maithreyan have also stressed the party leadership for Rajya Sabha seat.