Chennai is buzzing with anticipation as the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) prepares to kick off crucial seat-sharing discussions this Sunday. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has hinted at sticking to the successful formula from the 2021 assembly elections, but alliance partners are pushing hard for a bigger slice of the pie.
In 2021, DMK contested 188 out of 234 seats, handing over the rest to allies like Congress, which got 25. Smaller partners made do with single-digit allocations. This time around, the equation has shifted dramatically with the inclusion of DMDK and Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), adding layers of complexity to the negotiations.
Party insiders reveal that DMK leadership will first outline the total number of seats earmarked for each partner before diving into specifics on constituencies. ‘Partners have already submitted their preferred seat lists, and talks will proceed in phases,’ a senior official shared.
Allies are digging in their heels this election cycle. A prominent left-wing leader noted that while their party settled for six seats last time, they’re now aiming for double digits. MDMK, which fought on DMK’s rising sun symbol in nearly 15 seats previously, might see adjustments due to the new entrants.
DMDK’s entry piles on the pressure, with sources suggesting they could snag 6-8 seats. Meanwhile, MNM, which backed the alliance in 2024 Lok Sabha polls without contesting and earned Kamal Haasan a Rajya Sabha berth, is playing it cool. Haasan has stepped back from direct talks, emphasizing alliance unity while promising to reveal demands at the right moment.
DMK faces a tightrope walk: satisfying ambitious allies without diluting its dominance, all while keeping the coalition intact for the battles ahead. As talks unfold, Tamil Nadu’s political landscape promises high drama and strategic maneuvering.