Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Feb 19: With weeks left for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the induction of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) into the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led alliance on Thursday has reshaped the ongoing seat-sharing negotiations.

Tamil Nadu has 234 Assembly constituencies. In the 2021 elections, the Indian National Congress contested 25 seats as part of the DMK-led front. Other allies such as the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Left parties were allotted six seats each, while the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam itself contested 173 seats. Another 14 seats were contested by smaller allies on the DMK’s symbol.

With the DMDK now in the alliance, even a single-digit seat demand could squeeze the DMK’s own share, as additions to the front are typically accommodated from the leading party’s quota before affecting other allies. Compared to 2021, observers note that the margins are tighter this time.

The M. K. Stalin-led DMK is pushing a ‘Dravidian unity versus BJP-AIADMK’ narrative, and the DMDK’s inclusion is seen as aligning well with that messaging. Analysts say the move could also strengthen the DMK’s hand in negotiations with the Congress, which has reportedly sought a higher seat share.

However, political experts caution that the Congress remains crucial for consolidating minority votes. With actor-turned-politician Vijay expected to attract a segment of minority voters, particularly from the Christian community, the DMK is wary of fragmentation in that bloc.

The DMDK’s independent strength has been under scrutiny since the death of its founder Vijayakanth in 2023. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party failed to win any of the five constituencies it contested.

Experts point out that the DMDK’s value lies more in regional balancing and caste arithmetic rather than direct vote transfer. While its statewide influence may have diminished, it is still considered to retain a solid regional core vote base that could play a role in a tightly contested election.