Seat-sharing talks between the DMK and the CPI(M) continue to face a stalemate, as both sides have not reached an agreement on the number of constituencies to be allotted.
CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam met Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at Anna Arivalayam in Chennai. Speaking to reporters later, Shanmugam said the party’s state committee has decided it should secure the same six seats it contested in 2021, and that it should not be asked to accept fewer.
According to Shanmugam, Stalin pointed to the challenges of allocation in a “big alliance” with more parties, and requested the CPI(M) to agree to five seats. Shanmugam said it would be difficult to take an immediate decision on accepting five.
He added that the CPI(M) would discuss Stalin’s request in its state committee and send a response. The party is expected to hold a meeting by this evening or tomorrow, first to finalise the number and then to submit the constituency list.
Shanmugam also said the CPI(M) remains in the DMK-led alliance on the basis of policy decisions, and not solely depending on how many seats are offered.
