Chennai, Tamil Nadu โ Recent discussions between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress (INC) have highlighted a significant gap in their expectations for seat distribution in the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections. While the Congress party is reportedly pushing for a substantial increase in its allocation, the DMK, the dominant partner in the alliance, appears cautious, citing the need to accommodate several new coalition members.
DMK-Congress Alliance: The Seat-Sharing Standoff
According to informed sources, the Congress has formally requested 35 assembly seats from the DMK for the upcoming polls. This demand marks a considerable jump from their previous allocation. In contrast, the DMK has indicated a willingness to offer only a few additional seats beyond the 25 seats the Congress contested in the 2021 elections, suggesting a figure closer to 28 seats.
High-Level Meetings Underway
The intensity of these negotiations was underscored by a recent meeting involving key political figures. Following AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal's discussion with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Girish Chodankar, alongside TNCC chief K. Selvaperunthagai, met with DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi. During this two-hour meeting, the Congress delegation reiterated their request for 35 seats. Kanimozhi reportedly assured them she would consult with the Chief Minister regarding their proposal.
Congress's Strategic Shift
In a strategic move, the Congress party has decided to forgo demands for power-sharing within the state government during these seat allocation discussions. Instead, they are prioritizing an increased share of positions in local governing bodies, including mayoral roles. This shift aims to secure more grassroots representation for the party.
Initial talks saw Congress beginning with an ambitious request for 41 seats. However, the DMK promptly countered, emphasizing that all alliance partners would need to accept a reduced number of seats due to the expansion of their coalition. The DMK initially proposed retaining the 25 seats for Congress and later signaled flexibility for an additional two or three.
New Faces in the DMK Coalition
The DMKโs stance on seat reduction is largely influenced by the inclusion of approximately ten new partners in their alliance. These new entrants necessitate a reallocation of constituencies. Key new allies include:
- Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK)
- Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM)
- Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi (MJK)
- Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI)
- Mukkulathor Pulipadai
- Kongu Ilaignar Peravai
A DMK insider revealed that the party anticipates dedicating at least seven seats to the DMDK alone, further complicating the distribution process for established partners like Congress. The DMK also communicated that Congress might not receive the exact constituencies they contested previously, with the DMK potentially taking on more challenging seats and offering "easier ones" to their ally.
Positive Outlook Amidst Challenges
Despite the tough negotiations, Girish Chodankar expressed optimism after his meeting with Kanimozhi, stating that the discussions were "positive." He highlighted that the talks not only focused on assembly seats but also included the crucial allocation of a Rajya Sabha seat for the Congress and a larger share in local body elections.
The Congress delegation specifically sought a 25% share of seats in the forthcoming local body elections and a written guarantee for the Rajya Sabha seat, underscoring their commitment to securing significant gains beyond the assembly polls.
