DMK-DMDK deal done; Captain settles for 59 seats

DMK sources confided to DT Next that Vijayakanth had settled for 59 seats. This paper had reported on March 1 that DMK would increase its offer to 59 seats and possibly a Rajya Sabha berth, post polls. The DMK had outright rejected share in power and deputy chief minister’s post to an ambitious Vijayakanth even in the first few rounds of the negotiation. 

If the sources were to be believed, the DMK negotiators, but for agreeing to part with 59 seats, 18 more than what the DMDK had contested in 2011 in AIADMK alliance, may not have done that badly in the seat sharing talks considering that they have got the DMDK in to discuss the civic polls issue after the assembly polls. “As of now, they (DMDK) have said yes to join us. 

Alliance has been confirmed,” a DMK source privy to the development said, conceding that DMDK had pushed for 30 per cent seats in the civic polls during the seat sharing talks before agreeing to push the negotiation post-polls. 

Continuation of the alliance after the Assembly polls was another agenda that had dominated the DMDK-DMK talks. DMK sources quoted Premalatha and Sudish as saying, “We have had a bitter experience in 2011 when the alliance ended in 100 days after the Assembly polls. It affected our image. 

We do not want that to happen now. The alliance should continue well after the polls.” It was also learnt from informed sources that a member of Karunanidhi’s extended family had pitched in during the last round of negotiations, while a leading industrialist from the city and another Madurai-based businessman close to Vijayakanth had also help iron out the differences between the two parties. 

Interestingly, the two party cadres would have to wait for a while for the formal announcement to be made. While some sources said the announcement might be made on Saturday, when the ECI (Election Commission of India) is expected to make public the election schedule, a few other DMK insiders said the announcement was unlikely till middle of next week and the much expected visit of Vijayakanth to Gopalapuram would not happen immediately. 

Wednesday’s developments have also increased the anxiety quotient.  They are keeping an eye on the social justice conference convened by Dravidar Kazhagam. 

Meanwhile, some DMK cadre fear that the leadership may have given Vijayakanth a tad too much. “Congress was a national party and it was in power in 2011.

“The scenario was totally different and hence 63 seats back then. But 59 seats to Vijayakanth is too much. It is not possible,” a DMK functionary opined. 

“We ought to contest in 150 seats minimum,” remarked a skeptic DMK district secretary who said that he would not count on the DMDK till he signs the alliance agreement with our party. 

While another senior DMK functionary echoed his party colleague’s views, members of the DMDK have already started celebrating the coming together of the two parties for this election. 

Refusing to confirm the number, a DMDK functionary, requesting anonymity, said, “I am sure the alliance is through. If it is 59, it is a good bargain. We have been given a decent number. 

It will be a winnable alliance. Though there was some acrimony owing to the delay in clinching the deal, there will be good chemistry soon as both parties are committed to unseating the AIADMK.”