Alliance dharma: Kamal Haasan, DMDK eye Rajya Sabha berths

CHENNAI: Though terms of six Rajya Sabha members from the state – including MDMK general secretary Vaiko and DMK's M Mohamed Abdulla – are set to expire only in July, hopefuls from both the fronts, overtly or covertly, have started lobbying for the seats.

While a meeting between minister PK Sekarbabu and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president Kamal Haasan at the latter's party headquarters sparked speculation about a potential Rajya Sabha berth for the actor-turned-politician, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) general secretary Premalatha Vijayakant in a no-holds-barred talk at a party event on Wednesday reminded AIADMK of its "promise" during the Lok Sabha elections last year.

Though she didn't name the candidate, stating the party would announce it at the right time, a senior DMDK leader hinted that the party is all likely to nominate V Vijaya Prabhakaran, the son of the late party founder Vijayakant, for the seat. "We will also seek support from other parties, including the BJP, PMK and the O Panneerselvam (OPS) faction, to ensure a smooth victory," the leader told DT Next.

In the DMK camp, sources suggested that the alliance may consider nominating Kamal Haasan for a Rajya Sabha seat. The ruling DMK had assured one RS seat to the MNM in March 2024 when the party's founder Kamal Haasan signed a poll pact with the DMK.

'Vijay should decide'

DMDK leader Premalatha also took a swipe at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay, stating that questions about her party's alliance with the actor should be directed to him.

"Ask Vijay. He has to decide and come to us. Our party is 20 years old. We won't go and ask for an alliance with a newbie," she said.