Reiterating the alliance strategy from the 2019 elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu has finalized seat-sharing arrangements with its allies, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. VCK MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, in a statement to the press, confirmed that his party secured two seats, both reserved constituencies, while the MDMK, led by Vaiko, was allocated one seat by the alliance’s primary partner, DMK.
“We have followed the same formula that was followed in the last Parliament elections. All parties agreed on this formula. In the 2019 Parliament elections, communist parties and VCK got two seats each. MDMK got one seat and similarly, in this election, we have agreed on the same formula…” Thol. Thirumavalavan explained. He further conveyed that his party would contest with its symbol, the earthen pot, and has requested the Election Commission to provide a general symbol, as it plans to field candidates in approximately 15 seats in Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana.
In the 2019 elections, the MDMK secured one Lok Sabha seat (which it won) and one in the Rajya Sabha. The seat-sharing agreement between Thol Thirumavalavan, Vaiko, and DMK President MK Stalin was formalized at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam.
The DMK has already finalized seat-sharing agreements with other allies, including CPI (M), CPI, IUML, and KMDK. The Communist Party of India and CPIM have been allotted two seats each, while the Indian Union Muslim League and Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi received one seat each. The Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA)-led by DMK won 38 out of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu in the 2019 elections. The Lok Sabha elections are anticipated to be held in April-May this year.