Congress and DMK talks ‘smooth’, likely to reach an understanding soon

The seat negotiation committee formed by the Congress met with the DMK leaders at Anna Arivalayam in Chennai to discuss the number of seats that the Congress would be contesting in as part of the INDIA bloc in the upcoming Assembly election.

The committee is led by Girish Chodankar and Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai.

Senior leaders of the Congress said that an understanding with the DMK would be reached on Monday.

Speaking to the reporters, Mr. Selvaperunthagai reiterated that the Congress-DMK alliance was all but sealed, and only the details remained to be determined.

“The alliance negotiations are progressing in a cordial and successful manner. We will reveal the number of seats [arrived at] when we sign the agreement. They have already agreed to allot one Rajya Sabha seat,” he said.

Mr. Selvaperunthagai further said, “We have made our demands. They [DMK] said they would consult with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and get back to us.”

He added: “We are in talks only with the DMK. This is a natural, ideological alliance. We didn’t speak about other issues. I request the media not to create confusion. The alliance will not let BJP and AIADMK into Tamil Nadu. Rahul Gandhi loves Tamil Nadu. We are clear in our objectives.”

On the demand for 25% representation in the local bodies, he said, “We raised it during the negotiations. Those who were a part of the meeting expressed confidence that a number of seats between 25 and 30 would be agreed upon.”

“The Congress began with their demand of 41 seats, which was deemed impossible, but we believe that a reasonable number of seats would be agreed upon. We expect that the seat-sharing agreement will be signed on Monday,” the senior leader said.

Asked if the Congress was insistent about a share in power, sources who were part of the meeting, said, “Share in power is possible only if there is a hung Assembly. Otherwise, it is out of question.”