Overview
- Election authorities accepted six nominations after scrutiny: Tiruchi N Siva and J Constantine Ravindran (DMK), M Thambidurai (AIADMK), Christopher Manickam alias Christopher Tilak (Congress), Anbumani Ramadoss (PMK) and L K Sudhish (DMDK).
- The scrutiny was held in Chennai in the presence of Returning Officer R Santhi and Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, who served as observer.
- Seven independent nominations, including that of P Swaminathan, were rejected during scrutiny, and stand-by nominee Sowmya Anbumani withdrew.
- Officials said the six are poised to be elected unopposed if no valid contenders remain after the withdrawal deadline, with certificates due on March 9.
- Once formalized, DMK’s Rajya Sabha strength from Tamil Nadu will fall to eight, AIADMK will stay at five, and Congress will rise to two; Siva and Thambidurai secured re-nominations, while Swaminathan also filed an objection to Anbumani’s nomination and lodged an assault complaint.