DMK wins TN seat-sharing bargain with IUML & MMK; CPI-M & VCK rebuffed on seeking too many

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) reached an agreement on seat-sharing talks with Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) on Monday for upcoming Assembly elections. Leading an alliance also comprising  Congress, DMK allotted three seats to IUML while giving two seats to MMK while talks are on with MDMK and VCK. Anuncing that three seats have been finalized for his party at end of two-day deliberation which concluded on Monday, IUML national president M Kader Mohideen said his party had sought five seats. After inking pact, MMK leader M H Jawhirullah said his party has been given two seats. 

"We agreed and signed deal for three seats after DMK said y are t in a position to allocate more seats as many allies have to be accommodated", Mohideen told reporters.

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Meanwhile, first round of seat-sharing talks between DMK and CPI(M) failed after latter demanded seats in double-digits while former denied it. While second round of negotiation is expected to take place between allies, CPI(M) is also scheduled to have a meeting on Tuesday afteron amongst its members regarding same matter, as per sources. Seat-sharing talks between DMK and VCK are also underway, with Thol Thirumavalavan's party demanding ten seats as opposed to DMK's offer of 4 seats, as per sources. 

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Tamil Nadu poll campaign

Setting 200+ seat-target for upcoming 2021 polls, DMK Chief M K Stalin has launched "WeRejectADMK" campaign calling it "lack of governance" by Palaniswami government and touching sensitive issues such as NEET-related suicides, holding gram sabhas across state. Holding gram Sabhas across Tamil Nadu, Stalin, his son Udhayanidhi and sister Kanimozhi have met people from all 234 constituencies to kw 10 years of misrule of ADMK Government and hear people's sufferings. Congress too has bolstered DMK's efforts with Rahul Gandhi visiting state thrice in past 3 months - holding meeting with students, weavers, fishermen, farmers, MSME workers etc.

With AIADMK anuncing its state alliance with BJP, EPS-OPS-led party had refuted any possibility of reconciling with Sasikala, who has w been released from jail and is attempting to claim that she is General Secretary of AIADMK. However, as per latest inputs, BJP has allegedly attempted to intercede and requested EPS-OPS to offer tickets to TTV Dhinakaran's party AMMK and also possibly Sasikala so as to t divide party's votes. EPS-OPS-led larger faction of AIADMK, on or hand, is wary of Sasikala and Dhinakaran potentially ending in a position where y could be king-makers in case of a hung assembly. Meanwhile, in a bid to woo voters, EPS has anunced a massive farm loan waiver, free COVID vaccines, Pongal gift and rescinded cases against Jallikattu protestors, anti-CAA protestors, COVID lockdown violators and Kudankulam nuclear power plant protestors. election will be held on April 6 and result declared on May 2.

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