The CPI(M) State Committee remains firm on securing at least six seats in its alliance with DMK for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election. DMK is offering only five seats. The party continues to back the DMK-led alliance.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist)’s State Committee meeting in Chennai reaffirmed its stance against reducing its seat share below six for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election. “The mandate is for six seats,” party sources said. The DMK leadership is offering only five seats, and the committee's decision will be conveyed to DMK, with further steps depending on their response. On Saturday, CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby attended the State Secretariat meeting, followed by the State Committee meeting that extended beyond 11 p.m. The party shows no change in supporting the DMK-led alliance to prevent a BJP-AIADMK victory. There is a suggestion to contest independently in some constituencies while supporting DMK in others, contingent on DMK's reply. In the 1998 Lok Sabha election, allotted just one seat by DMK, CPI(M) planned for six but limited to two, backing DMK and G.K. Moopanar's Tamil Maanila Congress. CPI(M) claims DMK promised more seats for the 2021 Assembly election, while DMK argues it has added more parties and may lose 15 constituencies from its share.
