DMK's TR Baalu clarified that neither had the Congress party submitted a "list of preferred seats", nor had the DMK sought one.
Published Jan 29, 2024 | 11:32 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 29, 2024 | 11:32 AM
Tamil Nadu Congress party chief KS Alagiri. (Facebook)
Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK held its first round of talks with key ally Congress on Sunday, 28 January, for the Lok Sabha polls, a meeting described as “very satisfactory” by the grand old party.
After the meeting with DMK leaders at the party’s headquarters “Anna Arivalayam” in Chennai, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President KS Alagiri briefed reporters, stating that the discussions revolved around potential candidates and campaign strategies aimed at securing seats in the parliamentary elections.
He said that the first round of talks with the DMK was very satisfactory and they would soon take things forward.
Congress leaders Salman Khurshid and Mukul Wasnik, AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu Ajoy Kumar, and Congress Legislature Party leader K Selvaperunthagai participated in negotiations.
DMK’s TR Baalu, addressing reporters after the seat-sharing discussions, indicated that the preliminary talks had concluded, and the next round would follow soon.
Responding to a query, the DMK treasurer and MP clarified that neither had the Congress party submitted a “list of preferred seats”, nor had the DMK sought one.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the DMK and its allies secured 38 out of the 39 LS seats in Tamil Nadu, of which the Congress won 9 of the 10 segments it contested.
On speculation about the Congress expecting more seats, he stated that it is natural for all alliance partners, including the DMK, to try and contest from the maximum number of seats. “When several parties form part of an electoral alliance, all partners should be accommodated,” he remarked.
Regarding the prospects of new parties joining the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu, Baalu welcomed any outfit that “does not seek LS seats”. When asked specifically about the possibility of Makkal Needhi Maiam, led by actor-politician Kamal Haasan, joining the alliance, he claimed he was “not aware” of such developments.
DMK General Secretary Duraimurugan had, on 19 January, announced that a committee led by party Treasurer Baalu would hold talks with allies on seat-sharing.
Principal Party Secretary KN Nehru, Deputy General Secretaries I Periyasamy, K Ponmudi, and A Raja, who is also an MP, were present during the committee’s discussions, along with panel member MRK Panneerselvam.
The Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) will announce at an appropriate time who it would enter into an alliance with for the upcoming Parliament elections, party President GK Vasan said in Erode on Sunday.
TMC was a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2021 state assembly elections with AIADMK and the BJP.
While interacting with mediapersons after participating in a programme in Erode, the former Congress leader lambasted the ruling DMK for its failure to fulfil its election promises.
He wanted the Tamil Nadu government to form an international-standard sports stadium inside the Institute of Road and Transport Technology (IRTT) Engineering College near Chithode in Erode, and provide professional sports coaching to youngsters in all games. He also wanted special sports classes to be conducted thrice a week in schools and colleges.
When asked about film actor Vijay’s proposed entry into politics, the TMC president said, “India is a democratic country and every citizen has the right to form a political party and enter into politics. So, I welcome his proposed entry into politics.”
Party general secretary Vidiyal Sekar was also present at the venue.
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