Chennai: With AIADMK announcing the election campaign schedule of party chief J. Jayalalithaa, the DMK is looking to expedite the seat identification process and release the party manifesto and candidates within this week.
The DMK has allocated 41 seats to Congress and the seat identification process has begun. The party leaders hope to complete the dialogue with Congress quickly and finalise seat arrangements with its major allies. Besides, the party is in the final round of discussions to allocate the seats to Indian Union Muslim League and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, besides three smaller outfits which are contesting on the DMK symbol ‘rising sun’.
The IUML and MMK had got five seats each while the Perunthalaivar Makkal Katchi, Thamizhaga Vivasaya Thozhilalar Katchi and Samooga Samathuva Padai Katchi had been given one seat each. Only after allocating the seat to allies, the DMK is planning to release the candidates list. The Socialist Democratic Party of India which initiated negotiations with DMK and demanded five seats had not returned to the talks. Besides, talks with Puthiya Thamizhagam led by Krishnasamy has not commenced as expected. The DMK’s stand on Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi, which has not got any seat in AIADMK front is not known.
Although, there are speculations that rebel DMDK members could be given seats in DMK alliance, such a possibility appears to be remote as it will strengthen allegations that the DMK is behind the dissidence in DMDK headed by propaganda secretary V.C. Chandrakumar. It will be better for DMK if the rebels mustered more strength and freezed the ‘drum’ symbol, by convening a parallel general council meeting, claiming to be the real DMDK.
The DMK is planning to sort out all alliance talks within this week and release the party manifesto, which is getting final touches. Besides prohibition, waiver of farm loans and special schemes for backward communities are expected.
It is said waiver of educational loans to attract youth and extension of free cycles and laptops to students of private schools and colleges could be a major election promise.
The election campaign schedule for DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin is also being prepared and will be released immediately after or along with the election manifesto.
