Chennai, May 23: The Election Commission has announced that a by-election will be held on June 18 to fill a vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Tamil Nadu. This marks the first electoral challenge for the ‘Tamilaga Vetrik Kazhagam’ (TVK) since coming to power in the state.
The seat became vacant after C.V. Shanmugam resigned from the Rajya Sabha. He recently won the assembly elections from the Mailam constituency.
According to the election schedule, the notification for the process will be issued on June 1, initiating the nomination filing process. The last date for submitting nomination papers is set for June 8, with scrutiny taking place on June 9. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until June 11. If necessary, voting will occur on June 18, with vote counting on the same day.
This election is expected to spark intense political discussions within the ruling coalition regarding candidate selection and alliance dynamics. It holds significant importance in the context of Tamil Nadu’s changing political landscape. If TVK participates in this election, its chances of entering Parliament will strengthen.
Currently, the effective number of members in the Tamil Nadu Assembly stands at 233. Therefore, any candidate will need the support of 117 legislators to secure victory. As no single party holds a clear majority, the election outcome is likely to depend heavily on coalition mathematics.
In terms of numerical strength, the coalition led by TVK appears to be in the lead, positioning it favorably in the race for this seat. However, all eyes are on whether TVK will field its own candidate or leave this prestigious Rajya Sabha seat for one of its allied parties under coalition management.
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