DMK leaders R.S. Bharathi and T.K.S. Elangovan nominated as candidates by the party for the biennial polls for Rajya Sabha filed their nominations at the Secretariat on Thursday.
While the DMK, which along with its allies has 98 seats in the Assembly, can easily elect two members to the Upper House, the AIADMK that won 134 seats has already named R. Vaithilingam, A. Navaneethakrishnan, A. Vijayakumar and S.R. Balasubramoniyan as its candidates.
If there is a necessity, the polling would be held on June 11, the Election Commission of India had announced earlier.
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The AIADMK candidates are yet to file their papers. Nominations would be accepted till May 31 and they would be scrutinised on June 1. A total of six Rajya Sabha seats from the State are falling vacant next month.
After his party nominees filed their papers, DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin told reporters that the party’s voice would be strong and loud in the Assembly for the benefit of the people.
Asked about the Chief Minister’s inclination to work together with the DMK, he said the opposition has never been stronger in the legislative history. “Leveraging this strength, the DMK will raise its voice loud and clear in the Assembly focussing on issues concerning the State and its people,” he said.
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Asked if arrangements have been made in the Assembly for (the wheel-chair bound) DMK president M. Karunanidhi to facilitate him to attend the proceedings, he said everyone watched how he arrived and took oath as an MLA on Wednesday. The government should take steps to facilitate Mr. Karunanidhi’s entry in the Assembly, he said.
Decent politician
Asked about the controversy around his seating at the Chief Minister’s swearing-in ceremony, her subsequent explanation and the exchange of courtesies in the Assembly between the two, Mr. Stalin extended his greetings to the media indicating that he would prefer to be a decent politician.
DMK’s voice will be strong and loud in the Assembly for the benefit of people, says Stalin