Seat-sharing talks in the DMK alliance for the Lok Sabha polls will begin on Tuesday, and it will be followed by a meeting of leaders of alliance partners and friendly parties on Wednesday at Anna Arivalayam.
Seat-sharing with the allies might be finalised on Tuesday.
Besides the two Dalit parties — Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK and Puthiya Tamizhagam — and two Muslim outfits —Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) — a couple of parties are supporting the alliance.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We have been asked to meet the DMK leaders separately on Tuesday and the next day there will be a meeting of leaders of alliance parties,” said M.H. Jawahirullah, floor leader of the MMK in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The MMK is keen on contesting in Mayiladuthurai and Central Chennai. Prof. Kader Mohideen, president of the Indian Union Muslim League, confirmed that his party had received an invitation for talks.
“In 2009, we contested on the DMK’s 'Rising Sun' symbol in the Vellore Lok Sabha constituency and won. Now, we have been allotted 'Ladder symbol' at the all-India level. We will contest on the symbol. But, we hope at least four Muslim candidates are elected from Tamil Nadu,” said Prof Kader Mohideen.
The VCK was allotted the Chidambaram and Villupuram reserved constituencies, and party leader Thol. Thirumavalavan was elected from Chidambaram. Now the party is seeking to contest from Kancheepuram, another reserved constituency.
ADVERTISEMENT
Puthiya Tamizhagam headed by Dr K. Krishansamy is likely to get the Tenkasi reserved constituency.
Now, the DMK is interviewing those seeking tickets. On Monday, a final round of interviews will be held for candidates from all the three constituencies in Chennai.