DMK demands action against Cong leaders before seat-sharing talks

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has indicated it will insist on disciplinary action against prominent Congress leaders, Manickam Tagore and Praveen Chakravarty, before engaging in seat-sharing talks for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. This stance has emerged due to continuous accusations and demands for a share in power made by these Congress functionaries, which have significantly strained the alliance between the two parties. The relationship between the DMK and Congress has been further jeopardized by remarks made by Manickam Tagore, who stated that his party had shouldered the 'burden of the Dravidian major's mistakes in 2014'. Praveen Chakravarty, a key figure in the Congress, has also been vocal, questioning the DMK's refusal to share power and downplaying significant populist schemes like the Rs 5,000 cash transfer to women, suggesting it doesn't guarantee electoral victory. These actions have led to a strong reaction from the DMK leadership, with a senior leader reportedly stating that the party is not inclined to hold seat-sharing talks if action is not taken against the two Congress leaders. The DMK leadership believes that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin might refuse to engage in talks if these issues are not addressed. The Congress party, on the other hand, has seen its state leadership, including TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai, cautioning against public discussions about the alliance. However, Manickam Tagore and other leaders have continued to press for a greater share of seats and a role in governance, emphasizing that the Congress expects to be treated with 'due respect' within the alliance. They argue that power-sharing is essential for the party's growth in Tamil Nadu and that the people will ultimately decide the nature of the government. While Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has publicly ruled out the possibility of a coalition government, stating that such an arrangement is not suitable for Tamil Nadu, the Congress leaders maintain their stance, suggesting that the people's mandate will be the final determinant. The DMK has conveyed its position to the Congress leadership, highlighting that power-sharing is not feasible and that public pronouncements by Congress leaders are detrimental to the alliance. Despite these tensions, seat-sharing talks between the DMK and Congress are expected to commence on February 22. The DMK has historically maintained a strong alliance with the Congress in Tamil Nadu, often achieving significant electoral victories together. However, the current friction underscores the complexities of alliance politics, particularly concerning the distribution of power and seats, as the state gears up for the upcoming elections.

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