Union Minister Piyush Goyal, the BJP’s Tamil Nadu election in-charge, is scheduled to arrive in Chennai for crucial discussions on Monday. These talks aim to finalize the seat-sharing arrangement within the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Following successful discussions in New Delhi between AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the visit by Goyal holds significant importance.
The discussions on Monday are expected to focus on resolving any remaining differences, especially in sensitive constituencies where multiple allies have interests. The alliance leaders are working towards a balanced formula that ensures unity and enhances the alliance’s electoral prospects. Goyal will meet with key alliance partners, including the AIADMK, PMK, and AMMK, to formalize the arrangement.
Most of the negotiations over constituencies have been completed, with only a few seats left for final discussions. The BJP is likely to contest around 28 to 29 seats, while the PMK and AMMK may secure between 16-18 and around 10 constituencies, respectively. Smaller allies are expected to be accommodated with one to three seats each based on their regional influence. Discussions have been focused on key urban and semi-urban constituencies in strategically significant regions.
In Chennai, the BJP is considering options in T Nagar, Velachery, and Mylapore. In Coimbatore, the party may gain an additional seat compared to the previous election cycle. The alliance is likely to retain a crucial constituency in the Kanyakumari district as part of its broader electoral strategy. With differences narrowing down, the talks on Monday are anticipated to be the final step towards announcing the NDA’s seat-sharing pact in Tamil Nadu.
