In a surprising political move ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has allotted 10 seats to Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), a party with a sharply reduced vote share of less than 0.5%. The decision has raised eyebrows within the alliance and triggered dissatisfaction among long-time partners.
Why Is DMDK Getting More Seats?
The DMDK, founded by late actor-politician Vijayakanth, recently joined the Secular Progressive Alliance led by DMK. Despite its weak electoral performance in recent years, the party has secured a significant share in seat allocation.
Notably, the DMK had already granted the DMDK a Rajya Sabha seat earlier this month, even though the party currently has no representation in the Assembly. This double advantage has become a major talking point in political circles.
What About DMK’s Old Allies?
The DMK’s tough negotiation strategy has left several of its long-standing allies unhappy. The two Left parties, including Communist Party of India (Marxist), were allotted only five seats each, one less than what they contested in the 2021 Assembly elections.
Despite repeated demands for at least six seats, DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin remained firm. Eventually, the CPI(M) agreed to the deal, with its state leadership openly admitting dissatisfaction.
Who Benefited More in Seat Sharing?
While some allies lost ground, others gained. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) received eight seats, an increase of two compared to the last election.
Meanwhile, the Indian National Congress was earlier allocated 28 seats, maintaining a significant share in the alliance.
Why Did Kamal Haasan Opt Out of Contesting?
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan, founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam, has decided not to contest the elections. Sources indicate that he felt constrained by the DMK’s strict bargaining approach.
Instead, his party will extend support to the DMK-led alliance, marking a strategic shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
Symbol Politics: ‘Rising Sun’ Dominates
The DMK has also pushed for greater visibility of its party symbol, the ‘Rising Sun’. Several allies have been asked to contest using this symbol instead of their own.
For instance, Vaiko’s Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), which received four seats, has agreed to contest three seats on the DMK symbol and one on its own.
What Is DMK’s Bigger Strategy?
The DMK is nearing completion of its seat-sharing exercise, and reports suggest that around 175 constituencies may see candidates contesting under the ‘Rising Sun’ symbol.
This indicates a clear strategy by Stalin to centralise the campaign and strengthen DMK’s brand dominance, even within the alliance.
What Happens Next?
While the seat-sharing formula is almost final, internal dissatisfaction among allies could still pose challenges. However, with elections approaching fast, most parties appear willing to compromise to maintain alliance unity.
The big question now is: Will Stalin’s aggressive strategy pay off at the ballot box, or will ally resentment impact the results?
