CHENNAI: The DMK wrapped up the last part of its seat-sharing negotiations with the Congress on Thursday, identifying the 41 seats that the national party would contest in the coming elections. During a hectic day filled with political activities, the party also allocated seats for Puthiya Thamizhagam and held discussions with MMK, while the manifesto committee handed over the draft to its leadership.
The Congress will contest from five seats in and around Chennai, including Mylapore and Royapuram; a few in central and western Tamil Nadu; and a substantial number from south where it has its relative strength. It retained the five seats it managed to win last time, and also Dharapuram, Kangeyam, Karur, Kattumannarkoil, Vedaranyam, Nannilam, Papanasam and Karaikudi — all constituencies where it has strength. However, it has a battle in hand as it is pitted against the AIADMK in all seats except in Kangeyam.
Speaking to the media after signing the deal with DMK chief M Karunanidhi, TNCC president E V K S Elangovan noted that the party was contesting from all parts of the State — the party is contesting from 31 of 32 districts. The constituencies allocated for the Congress are: Tiruttani, Ambattur, Royapuram, Mylapore, Sriperumpudur, Maduravoyal, Arcot, Hosur, Kalasapakkam, Cheyyar, Attur, Sangagiri, Namakkal, Gobichettypalayam, Ooty, Kangeyam, Dharapuram,Sulur, Coimbatore South, Vedasandur, Karur, Tiruchy East, Musiri, Jeyankondam, Kattumannarkoil, Vedaranyam, Nannilam, Papanasam, Pattukottai, Arantangi, Karaikudi, Madurai North, Tirumangalam, Sivakasi, Mudukulathur, Srivaikundam, Tenkasi, Naguneri, Colachel, Vilavancode and Killiyoor.
The DMK also allocated four seats for Puthiya Thamizhagam, a Dalit outfit that has presence in the southern districts, though it lost Islamist party SDPI, which called off all alliance efforts with the Dravidian major. SDPI leader K K S M Tehlan Baqavi announced snapping of ties with the DMK, charging the DMK with not giving due importance to the party, and not allocating seats for it. Responding to a question, he said there was no possibility for any patch up, adding that a decision on an alliance will now be taken on Friday.
Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader M H Jawahirullah held talks with DMK treasurer M K Stalin to identify the five seats his party is contesting from.
SDPI Snaps Alliance Ties SDPI leader K K S M
Tehlan Baqavi announced the snapping of ties with the DMK. He told reporters that the DMK had not given due importance to the SDPI and allocation of seats for it was yet to be made
MMK Seat List to be Out Today
MMK leader MH Jawahirullah held talks with M K Stalin for identification of five seats allocated to his party. He said the constituencies would be announced by the DMK president on April 8