Chennai: After days of indecision, Congress on Tuesday had decided to lend its support to DMK leader Kanimozhi for the June 27 Rajya Sabha polls from Tamil Nadu. The Congress's support could help facilitate Kanimozhi's return to the Upper House, with 32 in her favour. Kanimozhi is pitted against DMDK candidate AR Elangovan.
The support is seen by many as an effort, which indicates a thaw in the frosty ties between the Congress and the DMK. The DMK had walked out of the UPA in March over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.
TNCC president BS Gnanadesikan said AICC General Secretary and party's in-charge for Tamil Nadu Mukul Wasnik had informed him of the decision over phone. "Indian National Congress has decided to support Kanimozhi...accordingly, all five Congress MLAs will vote for her," he said in a statement.
The term of six Rajya Sabha MPs from Tamil Nadu ends next month.
Earlier, two local parties, MMK and Puthiya Tamizhagam, both former allies of ruling AIADMK, had extended support to Kanimozhi. They have two MLAs each.
DMK has 23 MLAs in the 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly and seven candidates, including CPI's D Raja, are in the fray for the biennial elections. AIADMK has fielded four candidates and DMDK one.
AIADMK with 150 members strength is sure to win four seats. Each winning candidate has to muster 34 first preference votes for victory.
(With Additional Information From PTI)
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