Kanimozhi files nomination for Rajya Sabha polls

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Saturday re-nominated sitting MP M Kanimozhi, daughter of party president M Karunanidhi as its candidate for the June 27 Rajya Sabha elections for six seats, hoping to drum up support from other parties to ensure a second term for her.

Kanimozhi, one of the accused in the 2G spectrum scam, that surfaced during her maiden term as a Rajya Sabha member, submitted her nomination papers on Saturday.

The term of six Rajya Sabha MPs from Tamil Nadu, including Kanimozhi, ends next month.

Party sources said Kanimozhi, accompanied by her brother and former Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin and senior political leaders, filed her nomination papers today after seeking the blessings of her father.

DMK patriarch Karunanidhi had stated on June 13 that the party would consult other political parties on fielding a candidate for the RS polls.

The party's decision also comes a day after Union Minister and senior Congress leader Jayanthi Natarajan met Karunanidhi at his residence in Chennai.

The party had snapped its ties with UPA over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue in March last.

Each candidate needs 34 first preference votes to win in the polls.

DMK, with 23 MLAs in the 234 member assembly, has to muster support of other parties to ensure 34 first preference votes for it's candidates victory.

Congress has five MLAs.

The last date for filing of nominations is June 17. Scrutiny will be on June 18 and the last date for withdrawal is June 20.