The DMK has opened applications for potential candidates interested in contesting the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. As per the party’s statement, interested aspirants can submit their applications from February 20 to March 2. Candidates vying for general constituencies need to pay Rs 25,000 with their form, while those applying for reserved constituencies must remit Rs 15,000. Women candidates, regardless of constituency category, are required to submit Rs 15,000.
Efforts are underway by DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to strengthen the ruling party’s alliance framework. A meeting was convened by CM Stalin with senior leaders to discuss alliance dynamics and establish a panel for seat-sharing negotiations with partners. This move followed a public affirmation by Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal during his visit to Chennai that the Congress-DMK alliance remains solid.
Recent comments by some Congress members, including Virudhunagar MP B. Manickam Tagore, had sparked speculation about tensions within the alliance. Party sources revealed that CM Stalin expressed discontent over the issue but later reached out to a key Congress leader in New Delhi to resolve differences. Following these discussions, Venugopal reiterated the Congress leadership’s dedication to the alliance.
During CM Stalin’s meeting, senior leaders such as DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru, and Public Works Minister E.V. Velu were present. Stalin briefed them on the alliance status and the proposed approach for seat-sharing discussions. Additionally, the DMK introduced a new outreach campaign named “Vellum Tamil Pengal,” where the party’s women’s wing members will conduct a door-to-door campaign from February 23 to March 8, International Women’s Day, to highlight the achievements of the DMK government. Ten women cadres will be assigned to each booth for this campaign.
With the call for applications and grassroots mobilization in progress, the DMK has initiated its election process in a timely and organized manner.
