AIADMK May Not Grant Rajya Sabha Seat to DMDK Despite Alleged Commitment
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Synopsis
The AIADMK is reportedly not planning to allocate a Rajya Sabha seat to its ally DMDK, despite previous assurances. This decision comes as the party has several contenders for the seats, indicating a shift in alliance dynamics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Key Takeaways
- AIADMK may not grant Rajya Sabha seat
- DMDK's promises during alliance talks
- Upcoming Rajya Sabha vacancies in Tamil Nadu
- Internal competition within AIADMK for seats
- Future electoral strategies for DMDK
Chennai, March 5 (NationPress) The primary opposition party in Tamil Nadu, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), appears unlikely to offer a Rajya Sabha seat to its ally, the Desiya Dravida Murpokku Kazhagam (DMDK), which was established by the late Tamil film icon Vijayakanth.
The General Secretary of DMDK, Premalatha, who is also Vijayakanth’s widow, had previously mentioned that the AIADMK had promised a Rajya Sabha nomination during the negotiations for their alliance in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In the 2024 elections, the DMDK, participating as part of the AIADMK-led coalition, nominated Vijayakanth’s son, Vijaya Prabhakaran, for the Virudhunagar constituency; however, he lost to Congress leader and incumbent MP Manickam Tagore by a slim margin of 4,379 votes. The party also ran candidates in Tiruvallur (SC), Central Chennai, Cuddalore, and Thanjavur but did not achieve success.
As of July 2025, six Rajya Sabha seats will become vacant in Tamil Nadu. The ruling DMK is anticipated to capture four of these, while the AIADMK is positioned to secure two.
Nevertheless, sources suggest that the AIADMK is unwilling to allocate one of these seats to the DMDK, as numerous senior leaders within the party are competing for them. Among the contenders is the current Rajya Sabha member Chandrasekhar, who is likely to be renominated. AIADMK Presidium Chairman A. Thamizhmahan Hussain, a significant Muslim figure in the party, is also a strong prospect. Additionally, former minister and party spokesperson D. Jayakumar’s son, J. Jayavardhan, is in the running.
Insider information from the AIADMK indicates that both Thamizhmahan Hussain and Jayakumar are trusted allies of General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). If both advocate for their candidacies, the party may choose not to renew Chandrasekhar’s term.
Instead of granting a Rajya Sabha seat, the AIADMK is contemplating accommodating the DMDK by providing more Assembly constituencies of their preference in future elections.
A senior DMDK official informed IANS that the AIADMK had distinctly promised a Rajya Sabha seat during their alliance discussions for the 2024 elections. The final decision regarding the party's response to the AIADMK's position will rest with General Secretary Premalatha.
In the 2011 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the DMDK secured 29 out of the 40 seats it contested, establishing itself as the primary opposition party and relegating the DMK to third place. Vijayakanth subsequently became the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
