PWF talks on seat sharing almost over

As per the agreement reached between DMDK and PWF, DMDK will contest 124 seats and the remaining 110 seats will be shared by the PWF constituents — MDMK, CPM, VCK and CPI. “The last round of talks was held by PWF leaders on March 27 and 28,” a PWF leader told DTNext and added that leaders also hold discussions during the fifth phase of election campaign held in southern districts. It is learnt that an agreement has been reached and according to party sources, the numbers have been finalised. 

“All the constituent members of PWF will share almost an equitable number of seats and there won’t be any surprise,” he said. It may be noted that there will not be any change in the number of constituencies shared by PWF as seats for any ‘newcomers’ have to be given from DMDK’s quota of 124 seats.

PWF leaders also opined that since the DMDK-PWF is now not keen in roping in new parties, they will move on to next phase of talks regarding identification of constituencies. “Even though there are not many differences between the leaders of PWF on reaching an agreement regarding the numbers, we are aware that strong variances might emerge in identification of constituencies,” the PWF leader commented. 

Since the DMDK will have a strong say in identification of constituencies, PWF leaders have decided to make a hard bargain to win their preferred seats. According to him, identification of seats will be a tougher task as conflict of interest is sure to arise among all the five members of the DMDK-PWF alliance. “

However, we are optimistic that identification of seats will be settled amicably since we have a broader understanding,” he added. 

Seat sharing talks between PWF constituents were delayed because the alliance was waiting for DMDK. However, the numbers have been almost finalised in just a week of reaching agreement with DMDK.