Chennai, Mar 21:
Seat-sharing negotiations within the DMK-led alliance have hit a fresh hurdle after the Congress party submitted a list of preferred constituencies, many of which are currently represented by DMK ministers and sitting MLAs.
The Congress, under the guidance of its Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar, has identified 39 constituencies it considers favourable. Several of these seats, including Padmanabhapuram held by Minister Mano Thangaraj and Muthukulathur associated with Raja Kannappan, as well as Madurai Central represented by Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, have become points of contention.
The demand was finalised during a Congress election committee meeting held in Chennai, chaired by Chodankar, before being submitted to the DMK leadership.
Congress leaders are reportedly pushing for constituencies with higher winning potential instead of following a strict numerical quota. However, the DMK is unwilling to concede seats currently held by its key leaders, resulting in a deadlock and adding complexity to the ongoing alliance negotiations.