With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approaching, political parties are actively finalizing candidates, forming alliances, and settling seat-sharing agreements. The ruling DMK and AIADMK have outlined their alliance structures, while smaller parties are expected to clarify their stances soon.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is set to meet Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal in Chennai on Sunday at 8 p.m. Venugopal, along with TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai and senior Congress leader Girish Chodankar, will discuss seat-sharing arrangements between the DMK and Congress under the Secular Progressive Alliance.
The Congress, a significant DMK ally, established a committee last year led by Girish Chodankar to negotiate seat-sharing terms. In response, the DMK appointed a seven-member seat-sharing committee, headed by T.R. Baalu, MP, to engage with alliance partners. Talks have commenced with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
During the meeting, the Congress is expected to push for a larger share of seats compared to the previous elections. Venugopal may present a list of priority constituencies to Stalin for consideration. Subsequent discussions between the DMK’s seat-sharing committee and the Congress negotiation panel will aim to finalize the arrangement.
Formal alliance talks were slated to begin on February 22, but the recent meeting signifies a critical juncture in the negotiations. The outcome of these discussions will significantly influence the DMK-led alliance’s composition for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
