VCK demands 15 seats, begins talks with DMK

The DMK on Monday started its preliminary seatsharing talks with Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK), a party with a strong dalit base. However, sources close to the DMK said they were yet to discuss the number of seats. “We have discussed the new formula for the upcoming assembly elections. The DMK has already stated that it’s ready to share 22 seats with the VCK, Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam (KMK) and other small parties, which means the seats the DMK front had shared with the Left parties in the 2006 elections will be shared with small parties this time,” said a senior VCK leader.

VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan said the meeting was a cordial one. “We will get a clear picture in a couple of days,” he said, adding that the DMK-PMK-VCK alliance will win more seats in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu. VCK assembly leader D Ravikumar said they were expecting 15 seats in the DMK front, adding that the DMK had given two seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha election and the party won one seat.

Although the DMK offered 60 seats to the Congress, sources said the party was not happy with it, and talks are going on from both sides to form a strong alliance. “If they (Congress) agree with DMK’s stand then only the party will start its seat-sharing talks with the VCK and other small parties,” said sources.

However, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, after meeting chief minister M Karunanidhi at his Gopalapuram residence to invite him for a family wedding, on Monday said the PMK-VCK would work together for DMK-led front’s victory.

Hoping that Karunanidhi will come back to power again, he said, “The DMK chief will continue as chief minister for the sixth time too. The PMK has given assurance to the DMK that their alliance will win 110 seats in northern districts of Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Source: The Times of India dt 22.02.2011