Extending largesse to accommodate new entrants into the alliance by reducing the quota for long-standing allies like the CPI, CPI(M) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has resulted in a deadlock for the ruling DMK in finalising seat-sharing pacts with them.
“Our demand is for more seats than we contested last time. Seats should be allotted in tune with our strength. There is no justification for reducing our share of seats on the pretext of accommodating new entrants,” P Shanmugam, the Marxist party’s state secretary, told reporters.
With the CPI(M) firm on securing its pound of flesh, the second round of talks between the party and the DMK on seat-sharing, scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed. The party, which contested six seats last time like the CPI and VCK, has clearly indicated its intention to contest double-digit seats this time around. “The talks with both the Left parties, now deferred, will resume in a few days,” he hoped, asking, “When can the Congress be allotted more seats? And since media reports say the DMDK (of Premalatha Vijayakanth) is being offered more, how can we be expected to accept a lesser number of seats?”
The CPI too is unhappy with the DMK’s move to scale down its share. “We will consider it, and our party committee, which has been holding talks with the DMK, will take a final call on the offer,” party state secretary M Veerapandian told the media. According to sources, the Marxist party has prevailed upon the CPI not to accept the offer, as it could impact the CPI(M) as well.
While the DMK’s strategy appears to be to complete pacts with smaller parties and the Left ahead of the VCK and the DMDK, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, MP, had a meeting with Chief Minister MK Stalin earlier in the day. It is believed that the VCK leader reiterated the demand for double-digit seats to be allocated to the party.
Reacting to the deadlock in the DMK-led alliance, former BJP state president K Annamalai, in an attempt to fish in troubled waters, said, “Crisis is brewing in the DMK front. Brother Thirumavalavan cannot accept anything that does not match the strength of the VCK. He will not stomach fewer seats when the Congress has been given largesse. But I can’t say whether the VCK will desert the alliance. The Left parties too are not happy at their marginalisation.”
The DMK has sealed the deal with the Congress, the MDMK led by Vaiko, and smaller parties like the IUML and the Kongu Nadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK). While the MDMK will contest one seat on its own symbol, it will fight in three other seats under the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol. The KMDK, too, will contest the polls on the DMK’s symbol.