Lok Sabha Elections 2024: DMK Allies With Congress And Kamal Haasan's MNM In Tamil Nadu

A seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu has been finalized by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) with the Congress and Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam.

The announcement of the alliance between the DMK, Congress, and Makkal Needhi Maiam for the Lok Sabha polls in Chennai was made by Kamal Haasan on March 9.

DMK Allies With Congress And Kamal Haasan's MNM In Tamil Nadu

However, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) has opted not to contest any seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Kamal Haasan stated, "My party and I are not contesting this election. But we will give all cooperation to this alliance. We have joined hands as this is not just for a position, this is for the nation."

After announcing the alliance, Kamal Haasan met with Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin at the DMK office in Chennai on Saturday. The decision regarding seat-sharing negotiations was actively pursued by the DMK with the Congress, an ally of the INDIA bloc, as reported by Business Today.

These two parties are already alliance partners in the state government of Tamil Nadu. Kamal Haasan had previously hinted at his inclination towards joining the Congress-led alliance in Tamil Nadu several months ago. Makkal Needhi Maiam's general secretary Arunachalam confirmed the party's stance, stating, "Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) is not contesting (the Lok Sabha elections), the party will support and campaign. One seat for MNM in Rajya Sabha (in 2025)."

In September of the previous year, Udhayanidhi Stalin, a leader in the DMK and Tamil Nadu minister, hinted at the possibility of his party forming an alliance with Kamal Haasan's MNM ahead of the parliamentary elections. The significance of Tamil Nadu in the Lok Sabha elections cannot be understated, with its 39 seats. In the 2019 elections, the DMK-led alliance, comprising the Congress, CPI, CPI (M), Viduthalai Chiruthaikal (VCK), and several smaller parties, dominated the state by securing 38 of the 39 seats. The remaining seat was won by AIADMK, as reported by Business Today.

Tamil Nadu emerged as a state where the BJP-led NDA struggled to make significant inroads in the last general elections. The 2019 Lok Sabha polls were conducted in seven phases, spanning from April 11 to May 19, with the final results, declared on May 23, indicating a sweeping victory for the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, securing 303 seats in the 543-member House.