Congress to support Kanimozhi in Rajya Sabha polls

Ending the suspense over its stand, the Congress Tuesday announced its support for the DMK's Kanimozhi in the June 27 Rajya Sabha elections.

The support of the Congress' five legislators was being sought by both the DMK and the DMDK.

According to statement issued by the Congress' Tamil Nadu unit, the party has decided to support the DMK, its erstwhile ally in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

After the Congress' backing, the number of legislators in support of Kanimozhi now stands now at 32 (DMK 23, Congress 5, PT 2 and MMK 2). A candidate needs 34 votes to get elected.

While the AIADMK has a strength of 151 (including the speaker) in the 235-member house, the DMDK has 29 legislators.

Six Rajya Sabha members from Tamil Nadu would retire next month. As per the current position in the assembly, all four candidates of the ruling AIADMK and the sole Communist Party of India candidate are expected to romp home safely. The contest will be for the sixth seat between Kanimozhi and DMDK's Elangovan.