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Chennai: The leadership of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has delivered a firm message to its alliance partners: there will be no discussions regarding sharing ministerial positions or power within the government, according to sources. This stance emerges amid growing demands, particularly from the Congress party, for a greater stake in governance should the alliance secure victory in the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
The political discourse around "power-sharing" gained significant momentum following actor-politician Vijay's declaration at the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) conference in Vikravandi, where he outlined his intention to seek a coalition government. While Vijay's own alliance-building efforts remain nascent, the concept has since reverberated through the state's political corridors, creating ripples within both the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK-led fronts.
Although long time ally VCK and its leader Thol. Thirumavalavan have indicated they will not press the demand this election cycle, the Congress has been vocal. Energized by recent electoral performances in Kerala and elsewhere, several Tamil Nadu Congress functionaries, including leaders like Selva Perunthagai, have openly advocated for a share in power. This internal pressure is understood to have reached the Congress national leadership, with some even hinting at alternative alliances if their demands are unmet.
This simmering tension set the backdrop for a recent high-level meeting between Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam. Sources indicate that Stalin directly conveyed the DMK's unequivocal position against any formal power-sharing arrangement within the government.
The discussions, however, were not solely confrontational. It is reported that Chidambaram communicated the Congress national leadership's desire to continue the longstanding alliance with the DMK. He also urged for the prompt formation of a seat-sharing committee to begin negotiations for the upcoming polls.
In response, the DMK leadership is said to have clearly explained its strategic rationale to allies. With elections approaching, DMK representatives argue that public debate over power-sharing could create unnecessary confusion and project an image of uncertainty, potentially undermining the perception of the alliance's strength and the DMK's ability to secure a clear majority.
While drawing a hard line on ministerial berths, the DMK has signaled a degree of flexibility in the parallel and critical process of seat allocation. Sources familiar with the negotiations suggest the DMK side has indicated a willingness to make some compromises in the number of constituencies allotted to alliance partners. This approach appears to be the DMK's formula for maintaining coalition unity: accommodating allies through electoral seats rather than executive power.
