Lobbying begins in AIADMK, DMK for 6 RS seats from TN

A copy of the notification stated that six seats in TN will become vacant and voting will be conducted between 9 am to 4 pm on March 26. The counting of votes will take place at 5 pm on the same day, the notification read.

In the AIADMK, supporters of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief minister O Panneerselvam have already reached out to party leaders for the coveted posts. The AIADMK, which has 125 MLAs, including the Speaker in the State Assembly, can elect three Rajya Sabha members.

Former Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai and party joint convenor KP Munusamy are top contenders in the fray lobbying for the posts. Founder of new justice party AC Shanmugham who unsuccessfully contested in the recent Vellore Lok Sabha polls in AIADMK alliance is also pitching for the post.

In the DMK, over half a dozen members are vying for the three seats, which, DMK is sure to win given its strength of 100 MLAs in the State Assembly. Incumbent MP ‘Tiruchy’ N Siva might have to sweat it out to secure another nomination while senior advocate NR Elango’s name is making the rounds again as one of the main contenders. Others vying for post include Veerapandi A Raja, V P Duraisamy and Hasan Mohammed Jinnah. Party sources claimed that DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin would also have a strong say in the process.