Political circles in Chennai are abuzz as AIADMK prepares to launch M. Thambidurai and PMK’s Anbumani Ramadoss into the Rajya Sabha via Tamil Nadu’s quota on March 16. The nomination window, triggered by ECI’s February 18 notice, runs through March 5, setting the stage for a high-stakes internal poll.
Confident of victory, the AIADMK camp attributes its edge to a solid assembly presence augmented by allies. Per insiders, PMK secures one berth, with Anbumani Ramadoss—known for his public health advocacy—tipped to fly the flag. Veteran Thambidurai, fresh from Lok Sabha duties and past ministerial roles, claims the second.
The executive committee greenlit this formula, with Palaniswami declaring PMK’s contest on one seat. AIADMK’s legislative heft, down to 60 MLAs from 66 post-2021 due to defections (including Panneerselvam and others) and a death, gets a lift from PMK’s 3 and BJP’s 4 MLAs, totaling 66 votes.
Analysts see this as a masterstroke, ensuring opposition voices in the Upper House while nurturing the AIADMK-PMK-BJP axis. With numbers locked in, the focus shifts to campaign dynamics and potential last-minute twists, but the path to Delhi appears clear for these nominees.