DMK MP Kanimozhi may meet Rahul Gandhi again to iron out differences over seat-sharing

Chennai: Seat-sharing talks between DMK and Congress have hit a roadblock, with Congress refusing to settle for the numbers offered by the principal ally.

DMK MP Kanimozhi is likely to meet Congress leaders in Delhi on Friday as leaders of the two parties kept talking in different voices over the allocation of a Rajya Sabha seat, too.




"Kanimozhi has sought an appointment with Rahul Gandhi after her parliamentary committee meeting on Friday morning. She will explain the reasons for DMK's inability to fulfil the demands of Congress,'' said a source. DMK has been citing the inclusion of more partners in the alliance as a reason for its inability to give more seats to allies.

During her talks with AICC member Girish Chodankar on Feb 23, Kanimozhi had requested Congress to settle for 27 seats. Chodankar conveyed the message to the Congress leadership, and the Congress high command was not happy with the numbers, sources said. "We started with the offer of 25 seats and raised it by two, but they don't seem to be happy with it," said a DMK source.

The stalemate triggered rumours that Congress has reopened channels of communication with TVK. Seeking to end speculations, TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai said the Congress-DMK alliance remains strong. "A Congress candidate will file a nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat in a couple of days under the DMK alliance," he said. However, DMK sources said Kanimozhi had communicated to Chodankar that Congress can be given a Rajya Sabha seat only in 2028.