TN Congress chief says AICC to decide on polls; DMK alliance 'intact'

Tamil Nadu Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai said the AICC will handle all election decisions, including seat-sharing with the DMK, asserting the alliance is 'intact'. MP Manickam Tagore, however, noted delays in talks from the DMK's side.

Congress Tamil Nadu state president K Selvaperunthagai said that all decisions regarding the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections will be taken by the party's central leadership, stressing that the state unit will abide by the directives of All India Congress Committee (AICC).

Speaking to ANI here, Selvaperunthagai noted that only a month remains for the elections and asserted that the relationship between the Congress and its ally DMK remains intact. "This is the election time. Only one month is left for the elections. Whatever the AICC decides, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee will follow. It is very intact (relationship with Congress and DMK)," he said.

AICC to lead negotiations

On seat-sharing arrangements, he clarified that discussions will be handled entirely by the AICC and added that he is set to meet the Congress President. "We already took a resolution on January 17, AICC will speak and decide," he added.

Responding to remarks by Congress MP Manickam Tagore over seat-sharing, Selvaperunthagai reiterated that negotiations will be conducted by the AICC. "AICC will negotiate. No one should talk to the press or media. We are following their instructions. AICC said that we will not speak outside. Whatever AICC said, we have to follow," he said.

Congress MP highlights delays in seat-sharing talks

Meanwhile, Tagore on Sunday said the party was "still awaiting the formation" of a committee by its ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, to hold discussions on alliance-related matters, asserting that the Congress "stands by its principles" as a national party.

Speaking to reporters in Tirupparankundram, Tagore said that 70 days had passed since the Congress was informed that a committee would be constituted for talks, but the party had yet to see any concrete progress in that direction. "We are not like other parties that switch directions after merely putting on an indicator and turning right. We are a national party with principles. We are in an alliance with the DMK as part of the INDIA bloc. It has been 70 days since we were told that a committee would be formed for talks, and we are still waiting. They have now said that the committee will be formed on the 22nd February. We believe that we will receive the respect that is due to us," Tagore told reporters.

The Congress and the DMK are key constituents of the opposition's INDIA bloc and have been long-time allies in Tamil Nadu politics. The remarks come amid discussions on coordination and seat-sharing within the alliance as political parties begin preparations for the state polls later this year. The DMK, led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, has been a dominant political force in the state and plays a central role in opposition coordination at the national level.

Tagore's swipe at DMK over power-sharing

Earlier on Saturday, in an indirect swipe at the DMK, Tagore referred to a remark by Tamil Nadu Minister Raja Kannappan about the party winning 160 seats while contesting 170 constituencies in the state elections. In a post on X, Tagore said that in 2021, the DMK contested 173 seats and won 133, and questioned its performance in constituencies where it lost. He stressed that power-sharing is essential and that a share in governance is the party's right, adding that the people would ultimately decide. "In 2021, we contested in 173 places and won 133..What we're asking is about the places where you faced defeat. Power-sharing is essential. Governance share is our right. The people will decide," Tagore wrote on 'X'.

The Tamil Nadu assembly consists of 234 seats, of which the DMK-Congress alliance won 151 in the 2021 elections. (ANI)

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