The Congress-DMK seat sharing talks plunged into a crisis on Friday night after the DMK expressed displeasure over the constantly rising demands of the Congress.
“After having agreed to 60 seats, is it proper on the part of the Congress to demand 63 seats now and, on top of that, say that it would contest the elections in the constituencies of its choice?,” DMK president M. Karunanidhi asked in a statement issued past midnight.
Upset with the Congress stand, he said an appropriate decision would be taken on Saturday by the DMK's high-level action committee.
Mr. Karunanidhi said that going by the presence of several parties, the DMK was initially ready to offer 51 seats. As the talks progressed, the demand went up to 53, 55, 58 and, ultimately, it was finalised at 60 in the presence of AICC leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. “He said he would apprise the high command and confirm the final number. However, not only did he not turn up for signing the deal, but also demanded 63 seats tonight over telephone, and that the Congress itself would choose all its constituencies,” he said.
