CM Vijay hands Tamil Nadu’s lone Rajya Sabha seat to Congress
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has allotted the state's lone vacant Rajya Sabha seat to alliance partner Congress, a move widely seen as reinforcing the partnership between the two parties and acknowledging Congress' importance to the survival of the minority TVK government.
The decision comes at a time when the ruling TVK depends on support from Congress legislators to maintain stability in the state Assembly. Congress' five MLAs are considered crucial to the government's numbers.
The announcement followed a meeting between Vijay and senior Congress leader Girish Chodankar, the party's Tamil Nadu in-charge, prompting speculation about who Congress may nominate to the Upper House of Parliament.
Political observers have identified Congress strategist Praveen Chakravarty as a possible candidate. Chakravarty is widely credited with helping forge the Congress-TVK alliance that reshaped Tamil Nadu politics.
Vacancy created by AIADMK leader's resignation
The Rajya Sabha seat became vacant after AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam resigned from Parliament following his election to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
Vijay's decision to back a Congress nominee gives the party an opportunity to increase its representation in the Rajya Sabha at a time when it is seeking to strengthen its parliamentary presence.
Congress welcomes decision
Congress leaders praised the move, calling it both politically significant and beneficial for the party's role at the national level.
Congress MP Jothimani said the additional seat would strengthen the party's voice in Parliament.
"This will strengthen the Congress' voice in the Rajya Sabha to take on the might of the BJP," she told NDTV.
Congress leaders believe the nomination will help offset a reduction in the party's parliamentary strength after its split with the DMK and subsequent alliance with Vijay's party.
They also view the development as a step towards deeper cooperation between Congress and TVK ahead of the 2029 general election and future contests in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.
DMK criticises move
The decision drew criticism from the opposition DMK, which accused TVK of avoiding a direct political battle with the BJP in Parliament.
DMK spokesperson A. Saravanan alleged that the ruling party was allowing Congress to take on that role instead.
"The aim is that TVK wants to avoid a direct confrontation with the BJP in Parliament, so it has outsourced it to the Congress," Saravanan told NDTV.
TVK rejects allegation
TVK leaders dismissed the criticism and said the decision was intended to strengthen the alliance rather than avoid political confrontation.
A senior party leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Rajya Sabha seat allocation reflected the close working relationship between the two parties.
"There is no outsourcing. We are strengthening our alliance with the Congress. What will we do with just one MP?" the leader said.