The preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is in full swing, with the DMK actively engaged in alliance talks, manifesto preparation, and candidate selection. Arivalayam, the party headquarters, is bustling with activity as separate committees are formed to handle various election-related tasks. The party is consulting with coalition partners and party officials to strategize effectively.
Meanwhile, the AIADMK is also busy with talks and manifesto preparation for the alliance in this election. The BJP has initiated discussions to form an alliance with AMMK and OPS, exploring the possibility of bringing the AIADMK back into the fold. However, no decision has been made regarding the allocation of seats among the alliances.
Despite the uncertainty, major parties like DMK, AIADMK, and BJP have decided to contest in more than 20 constituencies each. The focus now shifts to determining the allocation of seats within the DMK alliance.
A senior member of the coalition negotiating team revealed that the leadership has decided to allocate a maximum of seven or eight seats to the Congress this time, in response to party workers' preferences. However, the decision to increase the seat allocation aims to maintain coalition unity. The leadership emphasized the importance of understanding the context and ensuring that allocated seats contribute to electoral success.
He said, “"The leadership has decided not to allocate more than seven or eight seats to the Congress this time," stated a senior member of the coalition negotiating team. "While the party workers initially aimed to assign only 5 to 6 seats to the Congress, the leadership has now opted to allocate up to eight seats in the spirit of coalition unity. However, if the Congress requests additional seats," he elaborated, "we must address the repercussions of our alliance, including challenges from ministers to administrators, encompassing ED and Income Tax raids. Regardless of the number of constituencies allotted, we must actively campaign there during elections. Instead of nominating your candidates and expecting us to secure victories, deploying our candidates would boost morale among our party members. Please understand the context and agree to the seat allocation. It is our responsibility to secure victories in all designated constituencies."
Additionally, the DMK plans to field candidates directly in several constituencies where Congress and other coalition parties contested in the previous elections.
The party is also considering allocating two seats each to other allies like VCK and Communist parties, while giving the same numer of seats to parties like the Muslim League, MDMK, and KMDK.
Moreover, the distribution of seats will involve a balance between the constituencies requested by coalition partners and those decided by the DMK leadership. For instance, if the Congress seeks eight seats, half of them will be the constituencies they choose, and the other half will be determined by the DMK. This approach applies to other alliance partners as well, ensuring a fair distribution of constituencies.
Overall, the allocation of seats within the DMK alliance reflects a strategic balance between coalition dynamics and electoral considerations, aimed at maximizing the alliance's electoral prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.