Chennai, My 28 (Reporter) The ruling DMK on Wednesday announced its candidates for the June 19 biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu to fll up six seats, by allotting one seat to its ally actor-politician and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) Founder Kamal Haasan who is all set to enter Parliament for the first time. The DMK, which could win easily four seats in the 234-member Assembly, will contest three seats. The Opposition AIADMK, with 66 members (including four from the rebel camp of ousted leader O Panneerselvam), could win two seats, with the support of its ally, the BJP, which has four MLAs. A candidate required support of 34 Legislators to win the RS polls. Going by its strength, the DMK could easly win four seats--three on its own and another one with the support of its allies. DMK’s strength in the assembly is 133, its allies, Congress has 17 MLAs, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi of Thol Thirumavalavan (4), CPI and CPI(M) two each, besides other partners, including MDMK,more than what is required. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin in a statement here said Kamal's party was allotted one RS seat as per the poll pact agreed upon during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, while deciding to contest the other seats. Soon after the announcement, the MNM leaders met and adopted resolution announcing Kamal as the party's candidate for the seat and the actor-politician is all set to enter the Parliament for the first time. Apart from re-nominating senior Counsel P Wilson for a second successive term, Mr Stalin announced DMK Salem district secretary S. R. Sivalingam, party functionary and noted Tamil writer and poet Salma as its other candidates. This meant that MDMK Founder Vaiko, whose term ends on July 24 along with five others, was not given a seat this time. Of the six incumbent MPs, five are from the DMK, (including one held by its ally MDMK) and the AIADMK's foormer ally, the PMK held one seat. The term of six MPs from Tamil Nadu--Dr Anbumani Ramadoss (PMK), M Shanmugam, N Chandrasegharan, M Mohammed Abdulla, P Wilson (all DMK) and Vaiko (MDMK)-- will expire on July 24. Reports said the AIADMK might contest both the seats. though the BJP is mulling to seek one seat, perhaps to accommodate former State BJP Chief K Annamalai. The AIADMK is unlikely to allot a seat to PMK which was now not an alliance partner. Though another ally, the DMDK has been stating that it was promised a RS seat as part of 2024 LS poll deal, the AIADMK said no such commitment was given. The filing of nominations for the elections to the Upper House of Parliament would begin on June two with the issuance of the notification, according to Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Ms Archana Patnaik. The last date for filing of nominations was June 9 and the scrutiny would take place the next day. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is June 12. The elections, if necessary would be held on June 19 and the counting would take place the same day, Ms Archana Patnaik said...////...