Rajya Sabha polls loom as DMK sets March 3 seat-sharing ultimatum for Congress

Chennai: The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has set March 3 as the informal deadline for the Congress high command to conclude seat-sharing negotiations for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, signalling that further delays are untenable, particularly with the Rajya Sabha biennial elections looming.

The last date for filing nominations for the March 16 Rajya Sabha polls is March 5. With the DMK-led alliance poised to secure four Upper House seats and the AIADMK-led front likely to claim two, the ruling party is eager to finalise its nominees without uncertainty over alliance arrangements.

A senior DMK leader told reporters on Monday that if the Congress does not return to the negotiating table promptly, the party will proceed to announce its Rajya Sabha candidates independently.

“We have to take a decision before March 5. If the Congress does not come forward for talks, we will move ahead,” the leader said.

In Assembly seat-sharing discussions, the DMK has offered the Congress 25 constituencies—the same number allocated in the 2021 elections. However, the Congress has been pressing for over 35 seats, having initially demanded 39—one for each Lok Sabha constituency in the state—along with two Rajya Sabha seats.

Girish Chodankar, AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu and head of the Congress seat-sharing committee, described the DMK’s current offer as “not acceptable”. While he called the first round of talks “positive”, he stressed that further discussions could continue only if the Congress’ demands were met.

The DMK leadership, however, has ruled out increasing the Assembly seat allocation beyond 25.

Party insiders say the DMK is particularly irked by the Congress’ perceived openness towards actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Chodankar recently remarked that TVK should not be underestimated, citing its growing appeal among youth and its acknowledgement of Congress and Rahul Gandhi’s influence in Tamil Nadu.

Despite this, a senior DMK leader asserted that the party is not overly concerned about any potential Congress–TVK alignment and said the DMK has already consolidated a strong alliance. On speculation about Rahul Gandhi attending the DMK’s Tiruchi conference later this month, the leader said such decisions would be considered only after seat-sharing talks are concluded.

— IANS