TN Assembly Polls: DMK Seat Sharing Update

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is working hard to complete seat-sharing talks with its allies before the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The party wants to finish these discussions soon so it can focus fully on election campaigning.

Among its allies, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) is the only major party that has not yet finalised its agreement with DMK. Party sources say that DMK has already informed other allies, like the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), about how many seats they will get even before they officially joined the alliance.

DMK has offered five seats each to the Left parties — Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) and Communist Party of India (CPI). This is one seat less than what they received in the last election. While CPI is ready to accept the offer, CPM is still asking for more seats and continuing discussions.

This time, DMK is planning to contest fewer seats than before. In the last election, it contested 173 seats, but now it may contest less than 165. This change is because several new parties have joined the alliance, including DMDK, MNM, and others. In 2021, DMK and its allies performed strongly, winning a large share of votes under the “rising sun” symbol.

DMK has delayed talks with VCK to avoid problems with other allies during negotiations. VCK leaders are expected to ask for more than 10 seats, especially after gaining official recognition as a political party. However, sources say DMK may finally offer them around six seats.

DMDK, which had earlier contested separately in 2016, is likely to get around seven seats in this alliance.

Some smaller parties like IUML, KMDK, MMK, Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam, and Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi have agreed to give up one seat each. This is being done to make space for new alliance partners.

Newer allies such as MJK, SDPI, Mukkulathor Pulipadai, and Veera Mutharaiyar Munnetra Sangam are expected to get one seat each.

Overall, DMK is trying to carefully balance seat distribution among all its allies. The party’s main aim is to keep the alliance united and strong, while also making sure it remains competitive in the elections.