With only four days left for the biennial Rajya Sabha polls from Tamil Nadu and in the absence of a clear-cut stand from the Congress, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) leader Vijayakant has written to his party MLAs, including seven dissidents, to vote for the party candidate A.R. Elangovan.
The party’s whip, V.C. Chandhirakumar, has sent similar requests to all 29 MLAs since whip cannot be issued in the Rajya Sabha polls. The letters were sent a few days ago.
“We have asked them to vote without fail. We have also asked them to show their preference to the party agent,” Mr Chandhirakumar said.
The letter of request assumes significance, especially in the case of seven MLAs who have switched loyalty to the ruling AIADMK.
The present circumstances do not warrant them to vote as the ruling combination has adequate numbers to elect four AIADMK candidates and D. Raja, a candidate of the CPI.
A dissident MLA told The Hindu that he and other six MLAs had decided to vote, but had not received any advice from the AIADMK.