TN assembly polls: VCK only ally left to be ‘settled’; DMK to contest fewer seats

CHENNAI DMK is planning to wrap up seat-sharing talks with its allies by Friday. VCK is the only major ally to get an invitation for seat-sharing talks.Sources said DMK had indicated to DMDK the number of seats before the latter joined the alliance. DMK has offered CPM and CPI five seats each, which is one less than last time. While CPI is understood to have come around to agree, CPM is driving a hard bargain. Kamal Haasan’s MNM is expected to contest three seats in the DMK front.DMK will be contesting less than 165 seats, down from 173 last time. This is to accommodate the 10 new entrants to the alliance. In 2021, DMK got 37.7% votes contesting 188 seats (including allies who contested on the ‘rising sun’ symbol in 15 seats). “With new allies such as DMDK, MNM, MJK and SDPI joining the front, the party decided to contest fewer seats. Allies have been asked to give up one seat each, a move MDMK chief Vaiko has accepted. Many of the new allies will contest on the ‘rising sun’ symbol,” said a senior DMK leader.The party has deliberately kept VCK for the final stage of talks to avoid friction during negotiations with other allies. Thirumavalavan’s party is likely to demand more than 10 seats, citing its recently attained ‘recognised party’ status. DMDK, which led a third front in the 2016 election, is likely to get around seven seats, said a source. After allotting five seats each to the Left parties, DMK is expected to take up VCK next.“VCK may retain six seats in view of its recent growth and recognition,” the source said. VCK leaders said the party expects a seat share that reflects its growth.IUML, KMDK and MMK have agreed to surrender one seat each to accommodate the new entrants.Among the smaller allies, Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam and Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi are likely to get representation. New partners such as MJK, SDPI, Mukkulathor Pulipadai, and Veera Mutharaiyar Munnetra Sangam are likely to be given one seat each.