DMK-CPI seat pact in Tamil Nadu elections, left ally one less seat!

Political turmoil has intensified before the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, DMK on Wednesday finalized the seat sharing agreement with the Communist Party of India (CPI). Under this agreement, CPI has been given 5 assembly seats, which is one less than the 6 seats contested in the 2021 elections.

The agreement was formally signed in the presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin and CPI State Secretary Veerapandian. This is being considered an important step towards strengthening the DMK alliance before the upcoming elections.

After the announcement of election dates by the Election Commission, political activities have increased rapidly in the state. All the major parties are busy finalizing their alliance. DMK, which is leading the alliance, was holding several rounds of talks with its allies to balance the seats.

According to sources, CPI had initially demanded more seats than last time. However, after three rounds of talks, the party agreed to fewer seats considering the strength of the alliance and the need to make room for other allies.

After the agreement, CPI leaders said that the main objective of this alliance is to defeat the BJP and its allies. He said that some workers may be disappointed due to less number of seats, but forming a united secular front is the biggest priority.

A senior CPI leader said, “Our focus is to defeat the BJP-led alliance and protect democratic values. CPI has always been and will continue to raise the voice of the common people, workers and deprived sections.”

The DMK leadership is said to have urged its allies to agree to fewer seats due to the expansion of the alliance. CPI’s compromise on 5 seats is being considered a strategic decision, so that the alliance remains united.

At the same time, talks are still going on with CPI (M). It is being told that CPI (M) has also demanded more seats than in 2021 and the discussion on this will continue further.

Congress is likely to get around 28 seats under the alliance, while other allies like MDMK, IUML and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) may get less seats.

The DMK is now close to finalizing its seat-sharing deal after reaching an agreement with the CPI, paving the way for a joint and organized campaign for the assembly elections to be held in a single phase on April 23.