Moopanar undecided on Rajya Sabha nomination

Tamil Maanila Congress president G K Moopanar, who resigned as a member of the Rajya Sabha, appears to be undecided on contesting the election to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu.

However, his two party colleagues, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Peter Alphonse, who had also resigned their membership of the Upper House -- a Shiv Sena MP sought their disqualification as they had been elected on a Congress ticket -- filed their nomination papers in Madras on Wednesday.

Party sources said some influential party leaders felt Moopanar should not contest the election and, instead, devote his time to the TMC's development. Others, however, felt that Moopanar should maintain his national status as a member of the Upper House.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has pledged his party's support to the TMC nominees for the three seats.

The DMK and TMC, partners in the United Front coalition at the Centre, had contested the last general and state assembly election as allies. Karunanidhi and Education Minister K Anbazhagan were present when Natarajan and Alphonse filed their nominations papers.

EARLIER REPORT:
Moopanar resigns from Rajya Sabha