Chennai: Seat-sharing negotiations within the DMK-led alliance for the upcoming Assembly election have hit a fresh hurdle, with Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Communist parties reportedly insisting on getting as many seats as the DMDK.
According to information circulating in alliance circles, the DMK has already signed agreements allocating 28 seats to the Congress and two seats each to the Muslim League and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi. Talks are continuing with several other partners including DMDK, VCK, MDMK, CPI(M), CPI and MNM.
Sources said the DMDK has been firm in seeking 10 seats, but the DMK is said to be considering an allocation of eight seats, citing that the party has already been given a Rajya Sabha MP post. This has reportedly triggered objections from VCK and the Left parties.
A VCK functionary was quoted as saying that while the party does not oppose DMDK being offered eight or 10 seats, it cannot accept being given fewer seats than a party that joined the alliance only recently, especially when VCK and others have not received a Rajya Sabha berth since being in the alliance from 2019.
A DMK functionary, however, indicated that VCK and the two Communist parties may be offered the same number of seats they received in the 2021 election, adding that they could be persuaded once Chief Minister M K Stalin intervenes.
