DMK Alliance Seat-Sharing Talks Accelerate in Chennai with MDMK and MMK
Seat-sharing discussions within the DMK-led front gained significant momentum on Monday, as the ruling party engaged in crucial negotiations with two of its key allies, the MDMK and MMK. The talks, held at Anna Arivalayam, were led by a DMK panel headed by senior leader T R Baalu, focusing on the allocation of constituencies for the upcoming elections.
MDMK's Demands and Symbol Strategy
MDMK presidium chairman 'Auditor' A Arjunaraj confirmed that the party has requested an increased number of assembly seats compared to the previous election cycle, though he declined to specify the exact figure. In a notable development, MDMK has also sought a Rajya Sabha berth as part of the negotiations. Arjunaraj emphasized that the party intends to contest the upcoming election under its own 'match box' symbol, a shift from the 2021 assembly election when it contested six seats under the DMK's 'rising sun' symbol. This move aligns with the party's strategy in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, where MDMK principal secretary Durai Vaiko used the 'match box' symbol.
MMK's Seat Request and Symbol Decision
MMK president M H Jawahirullah stated that his party has formally requested five seats in the upcoming polls, which is three more than the two seats it contested and won in 2021—specifically in Papanasam and Manapparai. Unlike MDMK, MMK plans to continue contesting under the DMK's 'rising sun' symbol, as it did in the previous assembly election. Jawahirullah highlighted that this decision aims to maintain consistency and leverage the DMK's established electoral presence.
Next Steps in Negotiations
Both Arjunaraj and Jawahirullah indicated that the DMK panel has agreed to respond to their seat demands in the next round of talks, scheduled to take place within two days. Party leaders from MDMK and MMK noted that the final details of the seat-sharing arrangement will be disclosed once the DMK confirms the deal, underscoring the ongoing and collaborative nature of these discussions. The accelerated pace of negotiations reflects the front's efforts to solidify its alliance ahead of the electoral challenges.
