K P K Kumaran DMK's choice for RS

Chennai, Jun 29 (UNI) Former Managing Director of Tamil daily 'Dinakaran' K P K Kumaran today filed his nomination papers for the by-elections to the vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Tamil Nadu.

Accompanied by DMK Ministers, Mr Kumaran, son of former DMK Minister and 'Dinakaran' Editor K P Kandasamy, filed his papers before Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta, the Returning Officer for the by-poll.

Mr Kumaran's name was proposed by DMK President and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and party General Secretary and Finance Minister K Anbazhagan. He is likely to be elected unopposed.

M K Stalin, Arcot N Veerasamy, Veerapandi S Arumugham, Duraimurugan, K Ponmudy, Thangam Thennarasau and Periakaruppan were among the ten Ministers who signed the papers supporting his candidature.

Later talking to reporters, Mr Kumaran said 'It's a gift given by Mr Karunanidhi and I will live up to his expectations in the Rajya Sabha'.

The seat fell vacant following the resignation of former DMK member and actor Sarath Kumar, who quit the party and joined the AIADMK ahead of the May eight Assembly polls. Mr Saratkumar was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2002 and his term comes to an end on July 24, 2007.

Mr Kumaran was the second candidate to file papers after Padmarajan, who entered the fray as an Independent. Since Mr Padmarajan did not have the support of ten ministers, his papers were likely to be rejected on scrutiny on July four.

Mr Kumaran was expected to be elected unoppposed on July six, the last date for withdrawal of nominations.

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