The Election Commission has released the timetable for the elections to six vacant Rajya Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu, paving the way for renewed political discussions in the state before the upcoming Assembly elections. Nominations for the Rajya Sabha polls will start on February 26, and the deadline for submission is March 5. The voting is scheduled for March 16, coinciding with the elections for vacant Rajya Sabha seats in nine other states.
The six Rajya Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu, currently held by members of the DMK and AIADMK, are set to become vacant on April 2 as their terms conclude. Both major Dravidian parties are expected to announce their candidates soon, with the elections gaining importance as Tamil Nadu gears up for the Assembly polls later this year.
Political parties are actively negotiating seat-sharing arrangements for both the Upper House and the Assembly constituencies. The DMDK, yet to confirm its alliance decision, is reportedly aiming for a Rajya Sabha seat as part of the negotiations. The allocation of a Rajya Sabha seat could impact broader seat-sharing deals for the Assembly elections, with the AIADMK-led alliance looking to finalize arrangements before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu on March 1.
If the DMDK joins the alliance, discussions on seat allocation may be revisited and adjusted accordingly. The political landscape is expected to witness heightened activity in the coming weeks as parties strategize for the Rajya Sabha elections and the crucial Assembly contest.
