TVK-led alliance set to eye first Rajya Sabha win as poll for TN seat scheduled on June 18
Chennai, May 23
The Election Commission has announced that the biennial election to fill a vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Tamil Nadu will be held on June 18, setting the stage for the first Upper House contest involving the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led dispensation after its rise to power in the state.
The vacancy arose following the resignation of C Ve Shanmugam from the Rajya Sabha after he was elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from the Mailam constituency in the recently-concluded Assembly elections.
The poll is expected to trigger political discussions over candidate selection and alliance considerations within the ruling coalition.
As per the election schedule, the notification for the election process will be issued on June 1, marking the commencement of filing of nominations.
The last date for submitting nomination papers has been fixed as June 8, while scrutiny of nominations will be undertaken on June 9. Candidates may withdraw their nominations until June 11.
Polling, if necessary, will take place on June 18, followed by counting of votes on the same day.
The election assumes significance in the backdrop of the changed political landscape in Tamil Nadu following the Assembly elections that brought Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led TVK to power.
Though the election involves only one vacancy, political observers are closely watching the ruling coalition's approach, as the seat presents an opportunity for TVK to strengthen its parliamentary presence in New Delhi.
With the present effective strength of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly standing at 233 members, a candidate requires the support of 117 MLAs to secure victory.
Since no single party enjoys an independent majority, the outcome is expected to depend largely on alliance arithmetic.
The TVK-led alliance at present appears to hold an advantage in terms of numbers, making it the frontrunner to secure the seat.
However, attention is now turning to whether TVK will choose to retain the candidature for itself or allocate the prestigious Rajya Sabha berth to an alliance partner as part of coalition management.
Particular focus is likely to be on the Congress, which played a key role in extending support to the TVK-led government.
Political circles indicate that discussions on accommodating allies may gain momentum in the coming days as the nomination process approaches.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm not convinced TVK will waltz in easily. With 233 MLAs and needing 117 votes, it's not a given. The opposition, especially DMK and allies, will try to cut a deal. This is Tamil Nadu politics—always a game of numbers and backroom chats. Let's wait and watch.
Good that the election is happening quickly. Shanmugam resigned to focus on state work, so it's fair to fill the seat soon. But I hope TVK picks someone who actually speaks for Tamil Nadu in Delhi, not just a party loyalist. We need voices for our water issues and NEET concerns! 🙏
This is a key test of TVK's alliance arithmetic. If they can secure this seat smoothly, it signals stability. But if allies start demanding more—like Congress pushing for a candidate—it could get messy. Vijay needs to balance his own party's ambitions with coalition dharma.
I think TVK should keep the seat for itself to build its national presence. They have a strong mandate in the state, but in Rajya Sabha, they're weak. Sending a articulate leader from TVK would help counter the central government's policies. Don't give it away to allies just for short-term gains.
Honestly, this is just standard political maneuvering. Every time a seat opens up, we get all this drama. The real question is whether the candidate will actually work for the people or just sit in Delhi and collect salary. Let's hope TVK picks someone with integrity.