AIADMK, BJP discuss seat-sharing in TN

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 2

The AIADMK and BJP have discussed seat-sharing for the Assembly elections and also the possibility of the return of expelled AIADMK leader Sasikala to the party fold, sources said.

While the BJP does not want Sasikala to pose any threat or act as a vote-cutter to the NDA’s prospects in the polls, the AIADMK is still getting used to the idea that her homecoming will help consolidate anti-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam votes in their favour.

Apparently, Home Minister Amit Shah, Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam discussed the issue related to the return of late Jayalalithaa’s confidante and her nephew, TTV Dhinakaran, into the AIADMK in seat-sharing talks.

Though AIADMK spokespersons claim that no such talks have happened and the AIADMK doors are firmly closed for Sasikala, the BJP, which has not specified its official position on Sasikala, also denied any such proposal.

While the BJP is seeking at least 33 seats in the 234-member Assembly, the AIADMK is not willing to part with more than 21 seats. The ruling AIADMK seems to have already committed 23 seats to another ally PMK.