The CPI Lok Sabha party leader and Member of Parliament from Tiruppur, K. Subbarayan said that the party will finalise its seat-sharing with the DMK leadership on March 3….reports Asian Lite News
The DMK will finalise its seat-sharing arrangement with its alliance partner CPI on March 3.
The CPI had contested and won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Tiruppur and Nagapattinam seats in alliance with the DMK. Both were part of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in 2019 and now it is the I.N.D.I.A block in 2024.
The CPI Lok Sabha party leader and Member of Parliament from Tiruppur, K. Subbarayan told IANS on Tuesday that the party will finalise its seat-sharing with the DMK leadership on March 3.
He, however, refused to elaborate on whether the CPI will be getting the same seats that it had contested and won in 2019 or whether there is a change in constituencies.
The DMK has refused to allocate the sitting Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat to the CPI(M) and the seat-sharing discussions between the two parties have hit a roadblock due to this.
The DMK-led front had won 38 out of the 39 Lok Sabha seats from Tamil Nadu in 2019, and DMK President and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K. Stalin had directed the party cadres, district and state leaders to work hard for a total sweep in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
AIADMK undecided on alliances
The AIADMK leadership is uncertain on the political alliance it has to forge for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
After cutting ties with the BJP-led NDA in Tamil Nadu following differences of opinion with the state BJP President, K.Annamalai, the AIADMK is in political uncertainty on new combinations and permutations.
While the party leadership has travelled across Tamil Nadu and met people before its manifesto was finalised, the party is unable to stich in a credible alternative to DMK.
The AIADMK, which is the principal opposition party of Tamil Nadu, had more than 33% vote share in the 2021 assembly polls and is planning to win a few seats from the state in the Lok Sabha elections.
Party general secretary and Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu assembly, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), had recently met a senior leader of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and also Vijayakanth’s party Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).
However, sources in AIADMK told IANS that the meeting with these political parties were not as expected and EPS said that more discussions will be conducted as expected.
It may be recalled that in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, AIADMK in alliance with NDA could garner only one seat — Theni which AIADMK leader P. Ravindhranath won defeating senior Congress leader and former Union Minister, EVKS Elangovan.
After breaking up the alliance with the BJP, the AIADMK is expecting secular votes in its kitty and is tryingn to align itself with the PMK at any cost as it is the political arm of the powerful Vanniyar community which can have a a major say in the Western region of Tamil Nadu.
Sources in AIADMK told IANS that hectic bargaining was taking place behind the scenes and major decisions will be taken soon.
ALSO READ: Biden, Trump Prevail in Michigan Primaries
