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NDTV
06-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Rajya Sabha Race: Kamal Haasan, P Wilson Among Candidates Filing Nominations Today
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Actor-politician Kamal Haasan and nominees from DMK and AIADMK will file Rajya Sabha nominations today, ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. The DMK has fielded diverse candidates, while AIADMK faces internal rifts over alliance issues. Chennai: Actor-politician Kamal Haasan, along with key nominees from both the DMK and AIADMK, will file nominations today for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Tamil Nadu, marking a significant political development ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. The ruling DMK has fielded four candidates, including renominated Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate P Wilson, award-winning Tamil writer and poet Rokiah Malik alias Salma, and former MLA Sivalingam. In line with its alliance with the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), the DMK has also allotted one seat to Kamal Haasan's party, which has nominated the actor himself. P Wilson, a Christian, is widely regarded for steering the party through crucial legal battles - including the Supreme Court victory against the Tamil Nadu Governor and the landmark ruling that allowed the burial of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi along the Marina Beach. Salma, a Muslim, is an internationally acclaimed voice in Tamil literature, whose nomination underscores the DMK's attempt to represent minorities and women. Sivalingam, a former MLA from Salem district, represents the DMK's outreach to the AIADMK-dominated western Tamil Nadu - a region crucial to expanding its base. Kamal Haasan's nomination, meanwhile, is the result of a growing alliance with the DMK that was sealed during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Responding to criticism over his ideological shift - having once opposed the DMK - Kamal Haasan said, "This is the need of the hour," referring to the broader effort to unite non-BJP forces. On the other side, the opposition AIADMK has nominated Inbadurai, the head of its legal wing and a Christian from the powerful Nadar community, and M Dhanapal, a former MLA from a Scheduled Caste background. However, the nomination process hasn't been without controversy. AIADMK ally DMDK has expressed its disappointment over not being allocated a Rajya Sabha seat, despite its claim of prior assurances. While AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami sought to downplay the rift, saying, "All is fine," DMDK chief Premalatha Vijayakanth hinted at a possible review of alliances, saying the party would announce its decision "later". With the opposition AIADMK reviving ties with the BJP, the ruling DMK that aims for a consecutive has to deal with the electoral debut by actor Vijay's TVK as well.
New Indian Express
03-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu govt files petition in SC against Madras High Court order on Vice Chancellor appointments
NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu government has filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court's vacation bench challenging the Madras High Court's May 21, 2025 order that stayed the operation of nine laws passed in 2020 related to the appointment of Vice Chancellors in state universities. The case has gained importance as the parties involved in the disputes did not approach the vacation bench for relief, but after the Tamil Nadu government moved the Supreme Court, there are chances the matter will be heard in a day or two. The Supreme Court is currently on summer vacation until July 13, with only limited hearings taking place, and the regular court will reopen on July 14. According to Supreme Court registry sources, the case will be heard soon. 'The matter is very sensitive in nature. So it will come up for hearing in a day or two,' a registry official told TNIE. The petition before the High Court challenged the state laws on how Vice Chancellors of state universities are appointed, saying they violate the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations of 2018. In the SLP, prepared by senior advocate P Wilson, the Tamil Nadu government referred to a 2014 judgment, saying courts should be cautious in passing interim orders in constitutional matters and must respect the strong presumption of constitutionality. It is important to note that these laws were earlier declared valid by the Supreme Court using its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution after it ruled that the Governor's decision to send the bills for the President's approval was illegal. The Tamil Nadu government said the High Court's interim order stayed the provisions that shift the power to appoint Vice Chancellors from the Chancellor (the Governor) to the state government. The government added that the order effectively gave final relief at the interim stage. The state government also pointed out that the petition was filed during court vacations without showing any urgency. The High Court's vacation bench heard the petition from a lawyer linked to a political party, which the Tamil Nadu government said went against the High Court's April 29, 2025, notification that only 'very urgent matters' should be listed during vacations. 'The division bench of the High Court did not give sufficient opportunity to the petitioner—State to file a counter affidavit or respond to the writ petition or even argue before staying nine statutes enacted by the State Legislature which received deemed assent from this court in a landmark judgement titled State of Tamil Nadu Vs Governor of Tamil Nadu,' the government said. The state also accused the High Court of showing 'undue haste' in hearing the interim applications and said the court gave 'extraneous reasons for its findings.' While it is not unusual for vacation courts to sit beyond normal hours for urgent cases, the Tamil Nadu government said there was no reason for the High Court bench to rush the hearing on May 21 without giving the state a proper chance to respond, especially when no action under the laws was expected before June. It also noted a strange incident during the May 21 hearing, when the court's microphone was muted and neither those inside the courtroom nor those attending virtually could hear the order being passed. 'The High Court has given extraneous reasons for its findings such that the Senior Counsel representing the Petitioner was part of the counsel who argued the batch of writ petitions challenging the farm laws,' the Tamil Nadu government said.
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Business Standard
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Kamal Haasan to join Rajya Sabha? DMK allots one seat to his party MNM
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has announced three candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Tamil Nadu. One of the seats has been allocated to the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), a political party led by actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan. The other two candidates selected by DMK are advocate P Wilson and SR Sivalingam. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had earlier said Rajya Sabha polls will be held for eight seats—six from Tamil Nadu and two from Assam. ECI is conducting elections for these seats due to the current members completing their term soon. In Tamil Nadu, six members will retire in July, while the two members from Assam will complete their term next month. Out of the six seats in Tamil Nadu, three are currently held by DMK, and one each by AIADMK, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK). Based on how many seats each party holds in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, DMK is in a strong position and could increase its share in the Rajya Sabha from three to four. If not, the Congress, an ally of DMK, might get one seat. The election for these seats will be held on June 19, and the counting of votes will take place on the same evening. Kamal Haasan launched his party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) in 2018. However, his party did not win in the 2019 Lok Sabha or the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Later, MNM supported the DMK-led alliance during a by-election in Erode. Haasan also joined Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' when it reached Tamil Nadu in December 2022.
Economic Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Kamal Haasan in Parliament soon? DMK allots a Rajya Sabha seat to actor's Makkal Needhi Maiam
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam revealed its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. One seat is given to Makkal Needhi Maiam, led by Kamal Haasan. Advocate P Wilson and SR Sivalingam are the DMK candidates. The Election Commission announced polls for eight Rajya Sabha seats. Six seats are from Tamil Nadu and two from Assam. Members are retiring soon. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Wednesday announced its candidates for the upcoming June 19 biennial Rajya Sabha polls, with one allocated to actor Kamal Haasan-led Makkal Needhi Maiam The Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK on Wednesday announced that it would contest 4 out of the 6 seats. Additionally, the party has re-nominated its incumbent member in the Upper House, senior advocate P Wilson with Salem-based leader SR Sivalingam and Ruqayya Malik alias Kavignar Salma, a poet, writer and party Election Commission on Monday announced that it is conducting polls for eight Rajya Sabha seats — two from Assam and six from Tamil Nadu. These seats are going to be vacant due to the retirement of members. Six members from Tamil Nadu are going to retire in July whereas the remaining two from Assam will complete their tenures next members out of six from Tamil Nadu belong to the DMK whereas one each belongs to AIADMK, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and MDMK. Parties' current strength in the state assembly indicates that either DMK may improve its tally from three to four or its alliance partner Congress may get one seat from Tamil Nadu, improving UPA's tally in Upper of votes will take place on the evening of 19 June, concluding the election formed MNM in 2018 but faced defeats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and 2021 Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu. Later, MNM extended support to the ruling DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance candidate during the by-polls in Erode. Also, Hassan was seen alongside Congress MP Rahul Gandhi embarking on his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra when it reached Tamil Nadu earlier in December 2022.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
DMK names Rajya Sabha candidates, allocates one seat to Kamal Haasan-led MNM
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has on Wednesday announced its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for 19 June 2025. The Dravidian party re-nominated its incumbent member in the Upper House, senior advocate P Wilson and also named two others; party's Salem-based leader SR Sivalingam and Ruqayya Malik alias Kavignar Salma, a poet, writer and party office-bearer. One seat has been allocated to the Kamal Haasan-led Makkal Needhi Maiam, fulfilling a commitment made during the 2024 Lok Sabha election alliance. With this seat, the actor-turned-politician is expected to enter the Rajya Sabha. In March 2024, Kamal Haasan joined the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) ahead of the national elections, pledging support without contesting the polls. In return, the DMK assured MNM a Rajya Sabha seat, a promise now being honored.
