Following the footsteps of All India Majlis-e-ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), another radical fundamentalist group Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has inked a seat-sharing agreement with the TTV Dhinakaran led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK).
Former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s confidante VK Sasikala, who was released from jail in the imprisonment in the DA has announced her political sannyasin earlier this month leaving a big relief to AIADMK. It is expected to avoid the polarization of AIADMK votes to give a tough fight to DMK from capturing power. She had asked her nephew Dinakaran not to contest elections as their common enemy was DMK. She also called for MGR and Amma’s (Jayalalithaa) good governance to continue in Tamil Nadu. She wished for unity among Jayalalithaa’s supporters in her retirement statement, apparently telling Dhinakaran that there would be unity among AIADMK only if she stayed away from politics. Despite her clear advice and warning, Dhinakaran has been going ahead with his plan of contesting polls. Now it is official that TTV Dhinakaran, who represents the RK Nagarassembly segment in Chennai in the outgoing assembly, will now stand for the upcoming elections from the Kovilpatti constituency in Thoothukudi district. He will face Information Minister Kadambur C Raju. Dhinakaran is also planning to stand for election from Cumbum in Theni district
Owaisi’s AIMIM, which has won a few seats contested polls in Bihar assembly elections and Gujarat Local body elections by winning a few seats in Muslim dominated areas, has now set its eyes on Tamil Nadu. They want to make inroads in Tamil Nadu. He has entered into a poll pact with AMMK. AIMIM will contest three seats in the ensuing assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. It will field its candidates in Vaniyambadi, Krishnagiri and Sankarapuram.
Likewise, the SDPI, which has held parlays with Kamal Hassan’s MNM, has now become part of the AMMK coalition. As per the seat-sharing agreement, it will contest six seats in the state. They are Alandur, Ambur , Trichy West, Thiruvarur, Madurai Central and Palayamkottai. SDPI Tamil Nadu president Nellai Mubarak said “ we are in alliance with AMMK. SDPI to contest in 6 constituencies in AMMK alliance- Alandur, Ambur, Trichy West , Thiruvarur, Madurai Central and Palayamkottai”. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, SDPI had aligned with the AMMK.
The AMMK gave one seat each to four other parties Makkal Arasu Katchi, Vidhuthalai Tamil Puligal, Gokula Makkal Katchi and Marudhu Sena Sangam.
DMK will contest 174 constituencies while Congress 25, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal , MDMK, CPI and CPI (M) each six, IUML 3, Jawahirullah’s Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK )2, Tamizhaga Vazhurimai Katch (TVK) 1, All India Forwardbloc 1, Aathi Tamizh Peravai and Makkal Vidhuthalai Katchi each one and Kongunadu Makkal katchi (KMDK) 3 seats. Of these smaller parties including MDMK will contest DMK’s Rising sun symbol.
AIADMK is contesting 171 constituencies leaving 23 to PMK, 20 seats to BJP and holding talks with Tamil Manila Congress and other smaller outfits. Vijayakant’s DMDK has left the alliance over a lesser number of seat offer.
The AMMK allotted six assembly seats to its ally SDPI. In the 2019 Lok Sahab elections, SDPI partnered with the AMMK.
Tamil Nadu with 234 assembly constituencies will have single-phase elections on April 6th. As of now, the AIADMK-BJP-PMK alliance, DMK-Congress-left parties coalition, TTV Dhinakaran led AMMK, ex-cine director Seeman’s Naam Tamizhar Katchi and Kamal Hassan’s MNM combine will be in the poll race. The DMK which has been out of power since 2011 has been making no stone unturned to capture power from arch-rival AIADMK in the absence of two charismatic leaders Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi. It has engaged poll strategist Prashant Kishor’s IPAC to win the elections.
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