The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu is deliberately delaying the constitution of a formal negotiation committee for seat-sharing talks with its long-time ally, the Indian National Congress, according to party sources. The DMK leadership, opposed to the Congress's demand for power-sharing, is currently prioritizing the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter enrolment and engaging in informal discussions with other potential allies.
Focus on Voter Rolls Over Formal Talks
Senior DMK leaders have indicated that the party sees no urgency in commencing formal seat-sharing negotiations at this juncture. The party's official stand is that a seat-sharing committee will be formed closer to the announcement of the election dates. A senior DMK leader questioned the Congress's haste, pointing out that other alliance partners have not expressed similar urgency.
"Our party is now focused on including voters on the electoral rolls. Why is Congress in such a hurry when other allies are not expressing similar haste?" the leader asked. The DMK believes that an early finalisation of seat allocation could cause discontent among party aspirants, potentially harming the alliance's prospects in key constituencies as the party aims for a consecutive victory.
Congress Pressure and Historical Precedent
Amid speculation about sections within the Congress exploring a tie-up with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has increased pressure on the DMK. AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu, Girish Chodankar, who also heads the Congress's negotiation committee, recently urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to form the committee by December 15. The Congress is seeking an early conclusion to the seat-sharing process.
However, historical caution informs the DMK's approach. A senior minister recalled the 1980 election setback, noting, "Tamil Nadu electorate rejected the DMK-Congress front's coalition government promise in the 1980 election and chose MGR (the late CM M.G. Ramachandran) instead. Coalition government will remain a dream." This memory reinforces the party's careful strategy.
Informal Outreach to PMK and DMDK
While keeping Congress waiting, the DMK is actively holding informal talks with other regional parties to solidify its alliance framework. Senior leaders are in discussions with PMK founder S. Ramadoss and DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth regarding possible poll tie-ups. The strategic aim is to strengthen the alliance's foundation before entering detailed negotiations with the Congress.
In a significant gesture, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with ministers E.V. Velu and Ma Subramanian, recently paid tribute at the memorial of late DMDK leader Vijayakanth. Meanwhile, aides to S. Ramadoss indicated that many PMK supporters favour an alliance with the DMK and a decision is expected soon.
The current scenario marks a shift from the 2021 process, when the DMK constituted a three-member committee comprising Duraimurugan, T.R. Baalu, and Kanimozhi Karunanidhi in February. Congress negotiations then, which included former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, were held in the last week of that month.
