Moopanar not to seek re-election to Rajya Sabha

Tamil Maanila Congress President G K Moopanar on Tuesday said he had decided not to seek re-election to the Rajya Sabha the very day he had submitted his resignation since he felt his contribution to Parliament during his 15 years there was not much. He would rather spend time strengthening his party in the state, he said.

Asked about the nomination of TMC vice-president N R Abdul Khader to one of the three Rajya Sabha seats which had fallen vacant, he said Khader was picked because the state lacked representation from the minority community in Parliament.

Moopanar said he had sought the Pondicherry Rajya Sabha seat from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and offered to give the seat he himself had vacated to the DMK. Since DMK president and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had openly pledged support to the three TMC nominees to the Rajya Sabha, any other arrangement could be misunderstood, Moopanar added.

Asked whether the friction between the TMC and the DMK had lessened, he said the TMC would continue to play the role of a constructive Opposition.

EARLIER REPORT:
Moopanar undecided on Rajya Sabha nomination