Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and DMK parliamentarian Kanimozhi met on Wednesday for discussions on the Tamil Nadu assembly elections but no agreement was reached on seat-sharing in the state, where the DMK is in power and the Congress is its ally.“It was a pleasant meeting, and no seat-sharing numbers were discussed, but there was an emphasis on showing respect for the Congress,” a party source said, according to PTI.The source added that during the meeting at former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s 10, Janpath residence in Delhi, her son and Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi told Kanimozhi that the DMK should hold talks with the committee formed by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to resolve seat-sharing issues.Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu are reportedly seeking a “substantial increase” in the number of seats they contest in the upcoming assembly elections, along with a “proper share” in power. However, the DMK is unwilling to offer more seats than it did in the last election.In 2021, the grand old party contested 25 of the 234 assembly constituencies and won 18.Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK supremo MK Stalin shares good relations with the Congress leadership and the issue is expected to be resolved soon, sources noted.Some state Congress leaders have also discussed the possibility of an alliance with actor Vijay’s newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), though the Congress leadership is reportedly keen on contesting the elections with the DMK.The Tamil Nadu assembly elections are likely to be held in April–May.
