AIADMK general secretary and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday announced the names of four party candidates for the biennial Rajya Sabha election from the State scheduled for February 7.
Vigila Sathyanand and Sasikala Pushpa, the mayors of Thirunelveli and Thoothukudi municipal corporations, S Muthukaruppan and N Chinnadurai are the AIADMK nominees for the Rajya Sabha elections. Six seats from Tamil Nadu are falling vacant following completion of tenures by union minister G K Vasan, former union minister Jayanthi Natarajan (Congress), S A Jinnah, Vasanthay Stanley (DMK) and T K Rangarajan.
Based on the present party position in the legislative assembly, the AIADMK can make a smooth sail by winning four seats. It will spare the extra votes under its kitty to the CPI (M) to help it elect the party nominee. The DMK has to content with just one seat.
Interestingly, Jayalalithaa chose two women candidates for the Rajya Sabha justifying her stance on women empowerment. This is the first time a major political party in the State nominating two women candidates at a go.
All the four candidates belong to Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi wjhich again underscores the fact that Jayalalithaa has given preference and consideration to the southern districts, a stronghold of the AIADMK.
EOM
Kumar