Chennai, June 13:

In a significant political development, actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan has been elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu. Alongside him, six other candidates, including members from the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK, were also declared elected without contest during the biennial Rajya Sabha elections.

The elected candidates include P. Wilson, Salma (noted poet and former Tamil Official Language Commission chairperson), and S.R. Sivalingam from the DMK; I.S. Inbadurai and M. Dhanapal from the AIADMK; and Kamal Haasan, who was supported by the DMK as part of their political alliance during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Election Commission had notified six vacancies in the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu, as the term of six current members is set to end on July 24, 2025. Since the number of candidates matched the number of seats, and no nomination was withdrawn, all seven candidates were elected unopposed.

This marks Kamal Haasan’s formal entry into Parliament and national politics. Despite not winning in the 2021 state assembly elections or the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, his political voice and public presence have remained active. His unopposed election to the Rajya Sabha is seen as recognition of his alliance with the DMK and his growing stature in Tamil Nadu’s political space.

With this development, the DMK continues to maintain its majority representation in the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu, while AIADMK has increased its strength with two members. Kamal Haasan’s entry adds a new dimension to the political discourse in the Upper House, bringing with him a background in cinema, public service, and activism.

The newly elected members will begin their six-year term from July 25, 2025.