Lok Sabha Polls 2024: DMK gives 9 seats to Congress in Tamil Nadu

Chennai:  DMK and Congress seat-sharing arrangement is now finalised with Congress getting nine seats in Tamil Nu to contest during 2024 Lok Sabha elections. DMK also released a list of 21 seats, on which DMK will contest. Tamil Nu will go to polls on 19th April, where it will witness a triangular election with a close fight between DMK, AIMK and Congress with BJP likely to churn equation in a few seats. 

DMK has given same six Lok Sabha seats to Congress that y won in 2019 namely Kanniyakumari, Krishnagiri, Karur, Sivaganga, Thiruvallur and Virudhunagar in dition to three new seats including Tirunelveli, Mayiluthurai and Cuddalore in exchange for ni, Tiruchirappalli and Arani. 

DMK has allocated Trichy seat to its alliance party, MDMK, represented by MP Vaiko. Vaiko is anticipated to declare candidature of his son for Trichy seat, which was held by Congress for nearly two deces.

In two days, DMK is likely to release candidates' list. As per DMK spokesperson, final meeting on DMK candidates will take place today in Chennai. MDMK, IUML and KMDK (DMK Symbol) have been given one seat each while VCK, CPM, and CPI have got two seats each in Lok Sabha polls. 

In 2019, out of 39 Lok Sabha seats, 38 were won by opposition in Tamil Nu but with Annamalais payatra and PM Modi's continuous focus in south. 

This time, winning dynamics in Tamil Nu could slightly differ from those of 2019, particularly with Annamalai's emergence. BJP's victory seems increasingly high, considering developmental initiatives spearheed by PM Modi and focus on projects central government has directed towards Tamil Nu.

Tamil Nu Congress Committee (TNCC) Chief K Selvaperunthagai in an exclusive conversation with Republic said, “Almost all constituencies we requested have been given (to us). Only a couple (of m) have been changed, which we felt h a strong vote base and it could have been won. One reserved seat is alrey with Congress. We will win all seats. Virudhnagar is a stronghold of Manickam Tagore and he is an alrey incumbent MP who is confident of winning as he has been working for people re.”

He ded, "Right now candidature is not announced. Congress, in a day or two, will release a list of candidates for Tamil Nu seats but moreover, candidates in six to seven seats will remain same as in 2019." 

He concluded, "In 2014, BJP won in Kanyakumari refore this seat has been national party's seat. And, on one of Kanyakumari's seats, MLA Vijaydharini has recently resigned from Congress and joined BJP. BJP is likely to announce her candidature against Vijay Vasanth, Congress MP from Kanyakumari. fight in Kanyakumari, Pudducherry, Sivaganga, and Virudhnagar is interesting as se seats have been retained by Congress in past.

Congress MP from Kanyakumari Vijay Vasanth told Republic, “I am a Congress worker and I have been working effortlessly in my constituency. I have strong hopes that party will again announce my candidature for Kanyakumari seat. In 2019, my far H Vasanthakumar contested and won with a huge margin leaving ors including AIMK and BJP far behind in number. In 2021 after my far's death, I became MP from Kanyakumari seat, since n this place has not only been my constituency but is also my home.”

He ded, “ BJP in 2014 and 2019 h decent vote percentage but y thought ir tactics of horsetring in Kanyakumari could make m win. But, y are in delusion; several Congress karyakartas and one MLA from Kanyakumari jumped into BJP ship but fact of matter remains that this place is Congress' stronghold.”

He ded, ", My far gave his life to Kanyakumari and now I am following his path. From being disqualified from Lok Sabha for raising issues against BJP to being revoked, people of Kanyakumari have seen our struggle. BJP's plan for south will fall into pit and ir candidate will not secure a single vote from Kanyakumari. Rahul Gandhi's vision is Bharat Jodo while PM Modi's vision is 'Bharat Todo.'" 

He concluded, “ BJP dives into divided politics and people of Tamil Nu are smart enough to sense that. Tamil Nu is not any Hindi state, rar it is a state, which has been raising issues from language equality to caste equality. No voter in Tamil Nu will fall for BJP gimmicks. I can only say I have full faith that my party will give me a ticket again from Kanyakumari and we will win with a heavy majority.”

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram told Republic, "Congress has full support of public and that Sivaganga seat is a stronghold of Chidambaram clan. This time also I am confident that my candidature will be announced. list will come by Wednesday and all suspense will be revealed."