DMK-CPI(M) seat talks stall as six vs five seats clash in Tamil Nadu
DMK-CPI(M) seat talks stall as six vs five seats clash in Tamil Nadu
CPI(M) sticks to six seats in Tamil Nadu talks with DMK; Stalin offers five as new parties join, with a Chennai meeting and Velmurugan's exit signaling alliance strains.
Chennai: The CPI(M) reiterated its demand for six seats in Tamil Nadu's upcoming Assembly elections, while the DMK offered five as a coalition partner. State secretary P. Shanmugam described the stance after a meeting with DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Shanmugam said the Chief Minister explained the difficulty in parting with more seats, noting that new parties had joined the alliance. He added that the CPI(M) would hold a State Secretariat meeting to convey its decision, likely on Sunday evening or Monday.
Meanwhile, Velmurugan's Tamilaga Vazhuvurimai Katchi exited the DMK-led alliance, accusing Stalin of a 'big brotherly attitude' and criticizing the party for caste-wise census issues, alleging bureaucrats influenced by RSS ideology.
This evolving row underscores the fragility of the alliance ahead of April 23 elections, with both sides keeping their cards close and the public awaiting a resolution.
