More allies translate to fewer seats for DMK’s older partners

Ahead of a public meeting on March 7 at Trichy, the DMK is likely to finalize seat-sharing with its allies. On Monday (March 1), the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) was allotted three seats and Manidhaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) got 2. Besides, the first round of talks has been completed the same day with VCK and MDMK.

The IUML headed by KM Kader Mohideen has been a trusted DMK supporter; their ties grew strong in 2013 even after the DMK parted ways with the Congress alliance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The IUML had then demanded two seats but was given one. Its sitting MP Abdul Rahman contested from Vellore, but lost.

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In the 2016 assembly elections, the IUML was given five seats — Vaniyambadi, Kadayanallur, Manapparai, Poompuhar and Villuppuram. But only KAM Muhammed Abubacker, its state general secretary, won from Kadayanallur constituency in Tenkasi district. In the 2019 parliamentary elections, the party was given one seat and K Nawaz Kami was elected from Ramanathapuram constituency.

Talking to The Federal, Abubacker said the party had demanded five seats but was given three. The party will contest on its ‘ladder’ symbol.

“In the last assembly elections, we contested five seats. This time too we demanded the same number. But since this time there are more allies, the DMK has persuaded us to contest three seats,” he said.

About the constituencies that it would contest, Abubacker said it would be decided after the seat-sharing talks are completed with the other allies. “The seats are shared first and then the constituencies are decided. We have conducted our district-level meetings and received resolutions. We will analyze those resolutions and take a final call on the constituencies we can contest depending on the winning chances for us,” he said.

On the other hand, the Manidhaneya Makkal Katchi, headed by MH Jawahirullah, has been allotted 2 seats. It is yet to decide its symbol.

“In 2016, we contested four seats — Tondamuthur, Ramanathapuram, Ambur and Nagappattinam. We demanded the same number of seats, but were given two. Along with the four constituencies, we have also given other constituencies where we have better chances to win. It will be finalized in a couple of days,” said party’s general secretary Abdul Samad.

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Meanwhile, the AIADMK continues talks between BJP and DMDK. The decision is reportedly pending with BJP is because the Palaniswami and Panneerselvam factions have not yet arrived at a consensus on bringing Sasikala back to the party. The DMDK is playing hardball to get equal number of seats, much like PMK. But sources said the AIADMK would allot it only 14 seats.