Congress nominee files papers for RS polls

Chennai, June 5 (UNI) Congress candidate and Rajya Sabha member B S Gnanadesikan, who was re-nominated by the party for the Rajya Sabha biennial elections from Tamil Nadu, filed his papers today, the last date for filing of nominations.

Mr Gnanadesikan, the only MP to be re-nominated of the six Rajya Sabha MPs whose term would expire on July 24, filed his papers before Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta, the Returning Officer for the elections.

Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi and his Ministerial colleagues K Anbazhagan, Arcot N Veerasamy and M K Stalin, PMK President G K Mani, CPI leader V Sivapunniam and Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) Legislator Selvam were among those who proposed the candidature of Mr Gnanadesikan.

With this, all the six candidates -- two each from the ruling DMK and the Opposition AIADMK and one each from the Congress and the Communist Party of India (CPI) -- have filed their papers.

The nomination of independent candidate Dr Padmarajan was likely to be rejected when the papers would be taken up for scrutiny tomorrow as his candidature was not proposed by any MLA. He had also not made any deposit.

In the absence of a contest, the six members were likely to be declared elected to the Upper House on June 8, the last date for withdrawal of nominations.

UNI