No consensus on Congress, DMK seat sharing talks

The DMK-Congress alliance was on the verge of collapse on Wednesday as DMK treasurer M K Stalin not only talked tough but even advised state Congress president S Thirunavukkarasar to explore alternative (alliance) options if he could not accept their paltry seat allocation. 

DTNext has reliably learnt from sources privy to the talks that Stalin had expressed his displeasure at the national party wanting to repeatedly ride piggyback on them during Wednesday’s late evening meeting when Thirunavukkarasar made a last ditch effort to get a few extra seats, especially in Chennai Corporation, from the Dravidian major after it reduced the tally to 10% or less in five other corporations. 

While the Congress had reportedly requested 17 seats (totally 200 seats) in Chennai Corporation, an adamant DMK had apparently refused to cross the 11 seat mark in Chennai Corporation. “Even the 11 seats offer was made only because of the faith we have in the organising capabilities of a couple of district Congress presidents in Chennai. They want us to allot seats, funds, campaign and do everything for them,” said a source close to Stalin who is understood to have categorically told Thirunavukkarsar that the local body election was only an opportunity to further strengthen the party. Perhaps, one of the reasons for DMK’s adamancy could be Congress’ abysmally low contribution to the former in capturing Chennai Corporation.

“If we win 90 plus seats and take the support of a dozen Congress councilors to reach the magical figure of 101 seats to capture Chennai Corporation, we can allot a few extra seats and fund them even. But it is obvious that we have to secure majority on our own,” reasoned a DMK senior requesting anonymity. He wondered why they have to sweat it out for a party whose national president had campaigned for 15 minutes and vice president made two quick sorties to the state from New Delhi during last Assembly election. 

The kind of effort Congress would put in civic polls is an easy guess if one recalls their electioneering during Assembly election. Ironically, Stalin’s frank talk did not burn bridges between the two parties, courtesy the seasoned politician in Thirunavukkarasar who had “asked more” with the kind of calmness that would even make Oliver Twist envious.