DMK-Congress Seat-Sharing Negotiations Hit Roadblock in Puducherry
The political standoff between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress over seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming Puducherry legislative assembly election continued unabated on Sunday. This impasse persists even as the critical March 23 deadline for filing nomination papers draws dangerously close, creating mounting pressure on both alliance partners to reach a consensus.
High-Level Meetings Fail to Break Deadlock
In a significant development aimed at resolving the political gridlock, former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram held crucial discussions with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Chennai. Simultaneously, senior DMK leader S. Jagathrakshagan also met with Stalin, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Following these high-level consultations, Congress in-charge for Puducherry Girish Chodankar revealed that DMK representatives had traveled to Puducherry on Sunday evening to continue negotiations directly with local Congress leaders.
Fundamental Disagreement Over Seat Numbers
The core disagreement revolves around the number of assembly seats each party should contest in the 30-member Puducherry legislative assembly. The Congress party has firmly maintained its position to contest in 20 constituencies, reflecting its traditional strength in the Union territory. Conversely, the DMK has been equally insistent on securing either 14 or 15 seats for itself, citing its growing organizational presence and electoral ambitions in the region.
T.S. Singh Deo, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) screening committee chairperson for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, acknowledged the complexity of the negotiations. "The fundamental issue concerns determining which party should contest how many seats," Deo stated. "We recognize that Congress possesses considerable strength in Puducherry, which logically suggests the party should receive more seats. However, such decisions are rarely straightforward. As alliance partners, we must carefully consider all relevant factors before arriving at a final resolution."
Specific Constituencies Become Sticking Points
The negotiations have become particularly contentious regarding the allocation of specific constituencies that both parties claim as their strongholds. The discussions have stalled over five key assembly segments:
- Nellithope
- Raj Bhavan
- Muthialpet
- Kalapet
- Mannadipet
The Congress party has formally requested these constituencies, while the DMK has countered with its own claims based on historical electoral performance and established organizational infrastructure in these areas. This territorial dispute has significantly complicated the negotiation process.
Broader Leadership Question Intensifies Friction
Beyond the immediate seat-sharing arithmetic, a more profound disagreement has emerged regarding the leadership structure of the alliance within the Union territory. This issue gained substantial traction after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin publicly advocated for a "Dravidian model" government in Puducherry during December 2022. Local DMK leaders have consistently echoed this sentiment, suggesting a more prominent role for their party in the alliance.
Congress leaders have responded by vigorously asserting their party's historical primacy in Puducherry's political landscape. Senior Congress leader V. Vaithilingam reiterated this position, emphasizing that the Congress has traditionally led electoral alliances in the region. Vaithilingam expressed confidence that the next Puducherry government would be formed under Congress leadership, highlighting the party's deep-rooted political legacy in the territory.
The combination of numerical disagreements over seats, disputes regarding specific constituencies, and the fundamental question of alliance leadership has created a multi-layered political crisis. With the nomination deadline rapidly approaching, both parties face increasing pressure to reconcile their differences while preserving the integrity of their electoral alliance in Puducherry.
