New Delhi/Chennai: Former UPA ally DMK on Wednesday approached Congress seeking support for its candidate Kanimozhi as both the Tamil Nadu parties are set to fight for the sixth seat in the June 27 biennial elections to Rajya Sabha from the state.

Senior DMK leader TR Baalu met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and requested her to support the candidature of Kanimozhi, party supremo M Karunanidhi's daughter.

This is the perhaps the first meeting between a DMK representative and Gandhi after they parted ways few months back over the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils.

The main opposition party in the state DMDK had on Tuesday approached Congress seeking support for its candidate. "Five DMDK MLAs met me and gave me a letter, which requested Congress to support their candidate in the RS polls. I have forwarded the letter to Delhi...The party high command will take a decision on it," Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president BS Gnanadesikan had said.

MMK's two MLAs to support Kanimozhi

Two members of Manidhaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) in Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday extended support to Kanimozhi in the June 27 biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha.

"We met DMK chief M Karunanidhi and extended our support in the RS polls," MMK leader MH Jawahirullah said.

MMK has two members -- Jawahirullah (Ramanathapuram) and Aslam Basha (Ambur) in the Assembly. DMK, which has 23 members in the Assembly, is set to contest the sixth seat with principal opposition DMDK's candidate AR Elangovan.DMDK has 29 members, including seven dissidents and has sought the support of Congress, which has five members in the Assembly.

The last day for withdrawal of nominations for the polls to six Rajya Sabha seats is June 20.

(JPN/Agencies)

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