DMK nominates three for Rajya Sabha polls

The DMK announced the names of its three nominees for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls in the state. DMK President MK Stalin said that Tiruchi Siva, Andhiyur Selvaraj and NR Elango would be the party candidates for Rajya Sabha polls. Six members of Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu will retire on April 2, the Election Commission had said. As per the Election Commission's schedule, the poll will be held on March 26 and counting of votes will happen on the same day. The ruling AIADMK has 125 members (including the Speaker) in the Assembly and the DMK and its allies have 106 members (DMK 98, Congress 7 and IUML 1). Hence both the parties - AIADMK and DMK - can win three seats each. Presently, the AIADMK has 10 members in the Rajya Sabha and the DMK has five. Post poll, the strength of AIADMK is expected to fall to nine (if it fields its candidates for all the seats) and the DMK's strength will increase to seven.