In a pivotal development for Tamil Nadu’s electoral landscape, DMK and Congress opened formal seat allocation parleys on Saturday at the party’s Anna Arivalayam headquarters in Chennai. This move dispels lingering doubts about their coalition’s viability ahead of the assembly polls.
Congress fielded a robust quartet led by state president K. Selvaperunthagai, alongside AICC overseer Girish Chodankar, co-handlers Nivedita Alva, and legislative head Rajesh Kumar. DMK’s response came via treasurer T.R. Balu and a seven-member squad named by leader M.K. Stalin, the state’s chief minister.
Heightening the stakes are reports of Congress scouting alternatives, notably quiet feelers to TVK of actor Vijay, should DMK concessions fall short. Demands from Congress include upwards of 35 legislative seats and dual Rajya Sabha entries. Prior backchannel talks with Kanimozhi hit a snag on quantum.
DMK’s stance: roughly 25 assembly constituencies and a single Rajya Sabha seat, stretchable to 27-28. A top strategist remarked, ‘Balancing demands from existing partners and fresh faces makes exceeding 35 improbable.’ Congress, having abandoned cabinet ambitions, now presses for amplified presence in urban local bodies, temple trusts, and welfare entities.
Party elders from DMK suggest timely deliberations on extras. As dialogues progress, the focus sharpens on fortifying a decades-old pact, assuaging grassroots unrest, and optimizing seat math for victory. These talks could define the opposition’s strength or spark a seismic shift in alliances.