Press "Enter" to skip to content

PMK wants to contest in five seats: Alliance with AIADMK most likely

image

It is no secret that the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) led by S Ramdoss is currently in discussions for a pre-poll alliance with both the DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. But sources in both Dravidian parties tell TNM that the PMK is leaning towards the ruling AIADMK as it is more open to giving the PMK upto five seats.

“Yes, we have unofficially confirmed the alliance with PMK,” says a source in the AIADMK. “They want five seats while the BJP wants 8. This seat sharing agreement is not complete,” an AIADMK source said.

Sources in the DMK say that with the DMK-Congress alliance not willing to spare more than two seats for the PMK, the party is unlikely to join them.

“We have gotten news today that they have aligned with the AIADMK. For them, it is not about winning or losing. It is about getting more seats to contest from. And if they come here to the DMK, they will get only two seats,” says a DMK source.

In 2014, the PMK allied with the BJP but won just a single seat in Dharmapuri. In 2009 they lost all six seats they contested from, when in alliance with the AIADMK. Their most successful outing has been with the DMK in 2004 when they won all six seats they contested from.

The DMK this time, however, has to keep in mind that the VCK is also expecting to be in the pre-poll alliance with them.

“After the Dharmapuri caste violence, we can’t be in an alliance that has PMK,” explains a senior VCK leader. “We are learning that talks are on with the DMK but we don’t know whether it is true or not. Every election the PMK wants to jump into a winning alliance. This time since Congress’ prospects are better at the centre they may want to come here,” he predicts.

The VCK meanwhile is looking to contest from two reserved seats. There are a total of six reserved seats in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha polls- Tenkasi, Nagapattinam, Villupuram, Chidambaram, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur.

“Our leader Thol Thirumavalavan usually contests from Chidambaram. In 2014, we contested from Tiruvallur too, while in 2009 our second constituency was Villupuram. This time only after talks, we will know what is going to happen,” says the VCK leader. 

Source: The News Minute