Six RS candidates from TN elected unopposed

Returning officer and Assembly Secretary K Srinivasan said seven nominations were found valid for six vacancies in Tamil Nadu. DMK’s backup candidate NR Elango withdrew the nomination. As per the provisions of the Representation of People’s Act and other relevant rules, they were elected unopposed, he said. Srinivasan handed over the certificate of election to them.

PMK leader Anbumani and elected AIADMK MPs called on Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami at his chamber in the Secretariat. Similarly, MDMK leader Vaiko called on DMK president MK Stalin.

The AIADMK and the DMK allotted one Rajya Sabha seat each to allies PMK and MDMK as part of pre-poll agreement. The AIADMK has four outgoing MPs and DMK two. The term of sitting MPs come to an end on July 24 and the term of newly elected MPs will be for six years ending in 2025.

The AIADMK leaders selected Mohammed Jan who served as minister for backward classes and minorities welfare in the cabinet of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa from 2011 to 2013 and Chandrasekaran, a long-time party functionary from Mettur. Based on the respective strength of the ruling AIADMK and main opposition DMK in TN Assembly, both the Dravidian parties through its 232 MLAs elected three candidates each.