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NT Bureau
Chennai, May 16:

        In a major step towards redefining power equations in the party, the DMK seems to have made up its mind to elevate MK Azhagiri, elder son of Chief Minister and DMK president M Karunanidhi, as a RS member, and then if the situation is conducive, as Union Minister.
 
 

        According to informed sources, Azhagiri is likely tol be fielded as the DMK candidate in the forthcoming Rajya Sabha (RS) elections in the State. Interestingly, upon his election as Member of Parliament, he may become the successor to Dayanidhi Maran and take over as Union Minister of Information and Communications. This is the 'family's' way of sending out a strong message.

        Sources in the know said that the allocation of the IT ministry to A Raja is a 'stopgap arrangement' until the election of Azhagiri.

        The tenure of six RS members from Tamilnadu will expire on 24 July and elections to the vacant seats will be held on 15 June.

        As the DMK and its allies have a combined strength of 165 MLAs in the House of 234, they can send four members to the RS. The AIADMK and its ally the MDMK have 67 MLAs and could send 2 members to the Upper House of Parliament.

        In the RS polls scheduled for next month, the DMK and the AIADMK is likely field 2 candidates each. It is also said that the DMK had also decided to allot the Congress and the Communist Party of India (CPI) each one seat, sources added.

        While Azhagiri would be a candidate, the DMK nominee for the other seat is still not clear. While the chances of KPK Kumaran being renominated is high, the names of TKS Ellangovan (Organisation Secretary), Tiruchi Siva, KP Ramalingam and Kambam Selvendiran is also doing the rounds.

        If the CPI has decided to field its national secretary D Raja, the TNCC is likely to renominate its incumbent Gnana Desikan. However, it may not be easier, as there is a tough fight among different factions of the TNCC to field their representative. The names of Jayanti Natarajan, TNCC President M Krishnaswmay, Karthi Chidambaram and others are also doing the rounds.

        From the AIADMK camp, either PG Narayanan or R Kamaraj is likely to be renominated and the MDMK is also said to be pressurising its big brother to part with a seat so that its general secretary Vaiko could go to Parliament.