The DMK has ensured that its alliance, which got around 54 per cent of votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, has remained intact. And it has done so while keeping its own cadre and the allies satisfied.
The DMK-led alliance comprises the Congress, the left, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), the Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi—strong in a few constituencies in west Tamil Nadu—and the Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi, a breakaway faction of the Pattali Makkal Katchi.
Thol. Thirumavalavan, president, VCK, said: “We are criticised saying we compromised for six seats. But it is not compromise. It was because of the warmth and the assurance from DMK leader Stalin.”
It took days of negotiations to ensure that the Congress did not quit the alliance. Fissures in the ties had emerged after state Congress president K.S. Alagiri accused the DMK of humiliating the Congress. He said senior leaders Oommen Chandy and Randeep Surjewala were insulted by DMK leaders during seat-sharing talks.
The DMK cadre felt that the Congress walking out would not affect the alliance’s prospects. But, Stalin did not want that. “People would have said we were arrogant or not accommodative or acting with a big brother attitude,” he said. “I wanted our allies to be with us.” MP, and Stalin’s sister, Kanimozhi, said that the alliance could be saved only if Stalin spoke to the Congress leadership. Stalin called Congress president Sonia Gandhi, like his father M. Karunanidhi used to do, and, the next day, the DMK and the Congress signed the agreement.
When the CPI(M) refused to accept six constituencies, Stalin stepped in to assure them of a long-term relationship. The idea was to give three assembly segments for each parliamentary constituency won by the alliance partners in the Lok Sabha elections.
The DMK contested in 124 seats in 2011, 180 in 2016, and will contest in 187 seats this year. In 2016, the VCK, the MDMK and the two left parties had formed the People’s Welfare Front and spoiled the prospects of the DMK coming to power. Stalin has certainly learnt from the past.