Chennai: The AIADMK on Monday formally unveiled its seat-sharing arrangement with key allies for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, bringing clarity to weeks of negotiations within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
However, the party stopped short of announcing the number of constituencies it will contest, leaving a crucial piece of the electoral puzzle unresolved.
The announcement came shortly after Union Minister and BJP’s Tamil Nadu election incharge, Piyush Goyal, arrived in Chennai to oversee the final round of discussions.
Addressing the media during a press conference, alliance leaders confirmed that the BJP will contest 27 seats, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) 18, and the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), led by T.T.V. Dhinakaran, 11 seats.
Despite the breakthrough, uncertainty remains over the AIADMK’s own share, which is expected to form the bulk of the remaining constituencies.
Party sources indicated that internal deliberations are still underway, with leaders keen to strike a balance between accommodating allies and retaining key strongholds.
Negotiations within the alliance had hit a roadblock in recent days, particularly over the BJP’s initial demand for more than 50 seats, including high-profile constituencies in Chennai such as T Nagar.
The AIADMK, however, maintained that it could not concede beyond a limited number without weakening its core electoral base.
The deadlock prompted AIADMK General Secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, to travel to New Delhi last week, where he held discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Senior leaders from allied parties, including PMK’s Anbumani Ramadoss and AMMK chief T.T.V. Dhinakaran, were also part of parallel consultations aimed at resolving differences.
Meanwhile, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is moving ahead with its own alliance-building efforts. The party has already finalised seat-sharing with the Congress, allocating 28 constituencies, and with the CPI, which has been given five seats.
Talks are ongoing with other partners, including the CPM and DMDK, as the Secular Progressive Alliance seeks to present a united front.
However, sources said the Congress has submitted a list of 39 preferred constituencies, many in Chennai, posing fresh challenges for the DMK leadership.
The competing demands within both alliances underline the complex negotiations shaping the electoral battlefield ahead of the polls.
(IANS)
