Reports from Chennai say Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan prefers to hold seat-sharing talks directly with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, instead of negotiating with the DMK’s seat-sharing committee.
VCK, a partner in the DMK-led alliance, is said to be seeking more constituencies than in the previous election. In the first round of discussions with the DMK committee, the VCK side reportedly asked for at least 12 seats.
However, the DMK committee is said to have responded that VCK should contest the same six seats as last time, and that one or two additional seats could be sought from the party leadership, while advising VCK not to aim for double digits.
Following this, Thirumavalavan is reported to have walked out of the seat-sharing talks. He later met Stalin in the next few days to discuss the issue, after which the Chief Minister reportedly asked him to continue discussions with the DMK committee.
Despite this, Thirumavalavan is said to be reluctant to engage with the committee and is insisting on direct talks with Stalin. VCK sources also reiterated that the party would not accept anything less than a double-digit number of seats, while claiming the DMK would not face the election without VCK.
