The DMK finalised seat-sharing agreements for the coming Lok Sabha polls with three of its allies on Monday, allotting two seats each to the CPI and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and one seat to the India Jananayaga Katchi (IJK), founded by SRM University chancellor Parivendhar.
Talks with the CPI(M) remained inconclusive as the party is learnt to be seeking three seats, while an agreement with the MDMK is expected to be reached on Tuesday.
The DMK has also suggested to the MDMK and VCK to field their candidates on its ‘Rising Sun’ symbol as being registered parties – as opposed to parties recognised by the Election Commission – they do not have a dedicated poll symbol.
The IJK has agreed to contest on the DMK symbol and the party has sought allotment of the Kallakurichi Parliamentary constituency.
As the DMK found it difficult to offer more than two seats to the CPI(M), its leaders decided to discuss the issue at the party’s State secretariat before returning for talks on Tuesday. Asked if the party has also sought allocation of Assembly seats where byelections are due, a senior CPI(M) leader replied in the negative.
An MDMK delegation led by its founder Vaiko also met the DMK leaders for talks, but an agreement could not be signed as a few leaders of the MDMK could not make it to the discussion. Sources said the party will be given one Lok Sabha seat and one Rajya Sabha berth for Mr. Vaiko.
“Senior leaders including presidium chairman Tirupur Duraisami and treasurer Ganesamoorthy were not able to come here as we were invited for the talks only in the morning. They will come tomorrow (Tuesday) and meet the DMK team after discussions among ourselves,” Mr. Vaiko said, insisting that the talks were “smooth”.
Accommodation of more allies and allocation of more seats to them has reduced the DMK’s share of seats, due to which the party has requested the VCK and MDMK to contest on its symbol. Sources said the MDMK may not be averse to the idea as the party is not sure of being allotted its ‘Top’ symbol. Sources said a final decision will be taken at the party’s general council meeting on March 5.
While expressing happiness at the allocation of two seats, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said his party had not taken any decision on the DMK’s request to contest on its symbol. “The DMK leaders suggested the idea. But we have to take a legal opinion before taking a decision since we are registered political party,” he told The Hindu after signing the agreement with DMK leader M.K. Stalin.
Mr. Thirumavalavan also dismissed as “baseless” reports that he wanted to join the alliance headed by Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK). “Of course we were upset because we were earlier offered only a single seat. I even thought of contesting alone. But I never gave thought to the idea of joining hands with Mr [TTV] Dhinakaran,” he clarified.
He said Mr. Stalin called late on Sunday night and invited him for talks. “The talks went smoothly and we reached the agreement,” he added.
