Eight elected to Rajya Sabha unopposed

Advertisement

Purkayastha is currently the BJP’s state secretary in Assam, where there are seven Rajya Sabha seats. The BJP currently holds four of these seats, while its allies, the AGP and the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), hold one seat each. The remaining seat is held by an Independent MP.

Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan, former Additional Advocate General and incumbent MP P Wilson, poet Rajathi alias Salma, and SR Sivalingam — all backed by the DMK and its allies — were declared to have been elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu on June 12. AIADMK’s IS Inbadurai and M Dhanapal were also elected unopposed to the Upper House.

These six candidates were declared to have been elected unopposed after their valid nominations remained in the fray on the last date for withdrawal, June 12.

Thirteen nominations were received, but only these six were found valid during scrutiny. Except for incumbent MP Wilson, all others would be first-time Rajya Sabha members.

The terms of six members from Tamil Nadu - Anbumani Ramadoss (PMK), N Chandrasegharan (AIADMK), Mohamed Abdulla (DMK), M Shanmugam (DMK), P Wilson (DMK) and Vaiko (MDMK) - will end on July 24.

Tamil Nadu has 18 seats in the Rajya Sabha. Apart from the DMK and AIADMK, the Congress and the Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) also have a representation in the Upper House.

The Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in Assam and Tamil Nadu in May next year.