Assembly poll schedule: TN parties get a long breather to settle alliance

With both the DMK-led front and the AIADMK-led NDA yet to complete the
seat-sharing process with their respective constituents, the assembly
poll schedule announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) has
given a long breather to both these alliances vying for power.

For the election to the 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly which has 234 seats,
nomination will commence on March 30 with polling slated for April 23
and counting on May 4. Unlike neighbouring Union Territory of
Puducherry and Kerala where nominations commence on Monday (March 16),
a day after announcement of the poll schedule, Tamil Nadu has been
given a long rope.

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It is the NDA which is yet to commence the process of seat-sharing,
while the DMK has finalised the deal with the Congress and a few other
minor parties. The DMK is yet to complete the pact with its
traditional allies, CPI, CPI(M) and the VCK, which have travelled with
the DMK for the past three elections and won two Lok Sabha elections
and the last assembly poll. The three parties are sulking since the
DMK is reducing their share of seats on the pretext of accommodating
new entrants. The new entrant, DMDK, is also awaiting its turn to hold
seat-sharing talks with the DMK.

Having delayed thus far and playing his cards close to his chest, only
on Sunday, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS)
constituted the party committee to hold formal seat-sharing
negotiations. With the constitution of the panel, the AIADMK will
begin negotiations with the BJP and other constituents of the NDA.

Reports of the BJP national leadership seriously engaging actor Vijay
to rope in his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) into the NDA, clearly
indicate that the NDA is yet to take a final shape. As such, analysts
observe that this long election schedule will be beneficial to the BJP
to set the NDA house in order.