DMK Requests Left Parties to Accept Reduced Seat Allocation in Alliance Talks
In Chennai, the DMK's seat-sharing panel has formally requested the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) to settle for a lower number of seats compared to the 2021 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. This development comes as the left parties had initially sought an increase in their seat share, aiming for more constituencies than in the previous poll.
Negotiations Highlight Alliance Expansion Challenges
During talks held on Friday, the DMK panel conveyed to CPI and CPM leaders that they might be offered one or two seats fewer this time. The rationale provided was that the alliance has expanded, necessitating the accommodation of more parties and thus reducing the available seats for each. In the 2021 elections, both CPI and CPM were allocated six seats each, a number now under review.
CPM state secretary P Shanmugham commented on the proceedings, stating that the final seat numbers would be determined in the next round of discussions. He emphasized, "At the state committee level, we had adopted a resolution that CPM should contest in more constituencies. We conveyed this demand to DMK's negotiation committee, who said they will discuss this internally and get back to us."
Seat Finalization Takes Priority Over Constituency Lists
When asked if a list of preferred constituencies had been shared, Shanmugham clarified that no such list has been submitted so far. He explained that the initial focus is on finalizing the number of seats, with constituency details to follow once that is settled. This approach underscores the strategic importance of seat allocation in the broader alliance framework.
CPI state secretary M Veerapandian echoed similar sentiments, noting that his party has also requested more seats and is awaiting the next round of talks to resolve the issue. Both left parties are actively engaging in negotiations to secure favorable terms within the expanding DMK-led coalition.
CPM Pledges Support for DMK-Led Alliance in Rajya Sabha Elections
In a related development, Shanmugham announced that the CPM will not be submitting any nominations for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Instead, the party's MLAs will support whichever candidate is fielded by the DMK-led alliance. This move highlights the ongoing cooperation and strategic alignment between the left parties and the DMK, even as seat-sharing talks continue.
The negotiations reflect the dynamic nature of political alliances in Tamil Nadu, where balancing the interests of multiple parties is crucial for electoral success. As talks progress, all parties involved are working towards a consensus that strengthens the coalition while addressing individual party goals.
