Nominations for elections to 26 Rajya Sabha seats across India begin today, with the last date for filing set for June 8. Scrutiny will be held on June 9, and candidates can withdraw until June 11.
If there is a contest, polling will take place on June 18 from 9 am to 4 pm, followed by counting at 5 pm the same day.
In Tamil Nadu, the election is for a vacancy created after AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP and former minister C.V. Shanmugam resigned on May 7. His term was to run until June 29, 2028, but he stepped down after winning the Mayilam Assembly seat, as holding both posts simultaneously is not permitted.
With TVK as the ruling party holding 107 MLAs and claiming support that takes the tally to 121, the party’s nominee is widely expected to secure the seat. The bypoll could also mark TVK’s first Rajya Sabha MP, with party spokesperson astrologer Rathan Pandit or Vishnu Reddy mentioned as possible candidates.
There is also talk that the Congress may seek the seat for Praveen Chakravarthy, though some TVK functionaries are said to oppose offering the berth. The decision by party leader Vijay is being closely watched.
