With more parties joining the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, party chief MK Stalin said providing more seats is difficult. | File photo
DMK offers 5 seats to CPI(M) in Tamil Nadu poll talks, Left party yet to decide
Seat-sharing talks between the DMK and CPI(M) have been going on for the last 20 days, with DMK president MK Stalin personally joining the negotiations
Chennai, Mar 22 (PTI) The ruling DMK has offered five seats to its ally, CPI (M), for the forthcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, the Left party's State Secretary P Shanmugam said on Sunday.
Seat-sharing talks between the DMK and CPI (M), which have been going on for the last 20 days, saw a new development with DMK President M K Stalin personally joining the negotiations.
"... this is the first time Chief Minister (M K Stalin) took part and requested us to accept the 5 seats offered by them.," Shanmugam told reporters.
He noted that in 2021 assembly elections, the Left parties -- CPI and CPI(M) -- contested in six seats each.
"The CPI(M) has been asking for double digit allocation. With more parties joining the front, the DMK said providing more seats is difficult." The Chief Minister cited constraints with the expansion of the Secular Progressive Alliance.
Following the DMK's stand, the CPI(M)'s state committee met twice and decided not to insist on more than 6 seats.
"Since the current alliance has been strengthened with the arrival of new allies, we decided not to push for more than 6 seats. Our executive committee authorised us to secure atleast 6 seats we contested in the 2021 Assembly polls," he said.
Under these circumstances, CPI (M) general secretary M A Baby attended the state committee meeting on March 21, where it was decided to press for six seats.
According to Shanmugam, the CM himself reiterated the challenges of seat allocation in a large alliance and urged the CPI(M) to remain in the front while accepting his offer.
The CPI(M) leadership has conveyed that its executive committee will meet soon and take a final decision.
"Since the Chief Minister M K Stalin himself has made a request, we have informed that the Executive Committee will meet and decide on it," he said.
Asked whether the party would consider leaving the alliance if its demand is not met, he shot back, "Why are you asking on assumption? The Marxist Communist Party will not take any such decision." PTI