Delhi, 12 June (H.S.): On Thursday, Kamal Haasan (Makkal Needhi Maiam), P. Wilson (MP), poet Rajathi alias Salma, and S.R. Sivalingam, all supported by the DMK and allies, were declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu.

AIADMK's I.S. Inbadurai and M. Dhanapal were also elected unopposed. Returning Officer B. Subramaniyam stated that the candidates were declared elected because the number of seats matched the valid nominations received, with a total of 13 submissions but only six valid ones after scrutiny.

Except for Wilson, all are first-time Rajya Sabha members. This election marks Makkal Needhi Maiam's entry into the Rajya Sabha and the exit of MDMK and PMK from the Upper House. The elections were necessitated by the end of tenure for six MPs in July 2025. Following these results, the DMK retains 10 seats in the Rajya Sabha, while AIADMK’s representation grows by one.

Tamil Nadu has 18 Rajya Sabha seats, with Congress and Tamil Maanila Congress also represented. The election highlights political alliances; the DMK promptly named three candidates and allocated a seat to Makkal Needhi Maiam as per prior agreements, while AIADMK indicated a future seat for DMDK in 2026 despite their earlier claims.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar