PUDUCHERRY: The suspense over ruling AINRC nominee for the Rajya Sabha polls continues and is expected to end on the final day for filing nominations, that is, on September 18.
The delay is on account of the differences between some of the party MLAs and Chief Minister N Rangasamy over the selection of the RS candidate.
The Chief Minister, who returned from Namakkal this afternoon, has been holding parleys to resolve the issue.
The All India NR Congress (AINRC) which has majority with 15 MLAs and supported by an independent, in the 30-member Assembly, is in a position to win the seat.
Even if the issue is not resolved, it will not matter if the Opposition does field a candidate, as there will be no voting. The stand of revolting MLAs will not be a hurdle in the election of the candidate.
The main problem for the ruling party will arise if the Opposition fields a common candidate to contest against the ruling party candidate. Then the necessity of voting will arise and the role of ruling party MLAs will become important in the election of their candidate.
Congress, the main opposition party, has maintained that it will not field a candidate to contest the poll, as with the present numbers of MLAs it is not advisable. However, if a candidate is nominated by the Opposition parties, they will vote, Leader of Opposition V Vaithilingam has said.
AIADMK, on the other hand, has not come out clear on their stand. All the five MLAs have gone to Chennai after they were called for discussion on the issue last night. O Paneerselvam and other senior leaders have held discussions with them.
The DMK has been making efforts to field a consensus candidate for the Opposition.