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EPS Confirms Smooth NDA Seat Talks, Rules Out Alliance with Vijay's TVK

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami stated that seat-sharing discussions within the Tamil Nadu NDA alliance are progressing smoothly, with a formal announcement expected within four days. He explicitly ruled out any alliance with actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Vijay, meanwhile, has affirmed his party's secular stance and intention to contest the polls independently, leading to a multi-cornered contest. The election for the 234-seat assembly is scheduled for April 23, with counting on May 4.

Key Points: AIADMK's EPS on NDA Seat-Sharing, Rejects TVK Alliance

  • NDA seat-sharing deal imminent
  • AIADMK rejects alliance with TVK
  • Vijay asserts TVK will contest alone
  • Tamil Nadu polls on April 23
  • Four-cornered contest shaping up
3 min read

EPS says seat-sharing talks progressing smoothly, rejects alliance with TVK after Delhi visit

AIADMK's Edappadi Palaniswami says NDA seat-sharing talks progressing smoothly, announcement in days. Rules out alliance with Vijay's TVK.

"Discussions on seat-sharing are progressing smoothly among the parties in the NDA led by the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. - Edappadi K Palaniswami"

New Delhi, March 20

After his second visit to Delhi this month, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami asserted that discussions on seat-sharing are progressing "smoothly" among the parties in the National Democratic Alliance led by his party in Tamil Nadu.

Indicating a critical moment towards the single-phase assembly elections scheduled to be held on April 23, the AIADMK leader said that an official announcement on the seat-sharing between alliance parties will be made in the coming days.

"Discussions on seat-sharing are progressing smoothly among the parties in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. An official announcement detailing the constituencies allocated to each party will be made within four days," Palaniswami, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Tamil Nadu assembly, told reporters here.

He further ruled out the possibility of an alliance with actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

"No talks have been held with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam," Palaniswami said.

This comes after the TVK chief, during an Iftar party in Mamallapuram, said that his party will never compromise on its "secular" credentials and will form a government led by them, suggesting to contest the upcoming assembly polls independently.

"We are the people's team. They tried a lot, but it didn't work out. Now they took a fake campaign that we will be going to this alliance and that alliance. I want to tell clearly that we are always with secular and social justice, and we will not compromise on it. The government will be led by us. Whoever spreads rumours, don't believe it. We can achieve our target for sure," Vijay said earlier on Wednesday.

Vijay's TVK is set to make his political debut in this election with his party, with competition from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) that includes Congress, Vijayakanth's DMDK, among others, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by AIADMK, including BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).

In this four-cornered contest, the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) is also a crucial player, with the regional party contesting on all 234 assembly constituencies alone.

The ECI on Sunday announced that Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The current tenure of the 234-member state assembly ends on May 10.

In the 2021 assembly polls, the ruling DMK won with 133 seats while AIADMK emerged victorious on 66 seats. Congress stood at 18 seats. The state witnessed a voter turnout of 76.6 per cent.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good move by EPS to clarify the TVK situation quickly. These rumors just create confusion for voters. A four-cornered contest with DMK, AIADMK-NDA, TVK, and NTK is going to be very interesting! Hope the focus remains on development issues and not just alliance arithmetic.
K
Karthik V
"Smoothly" he says. I'll believe it when I see the final list. Last-minute surprises are the norm in TN politics. The BJP and PMK must be getting tough in their negotiations behind the scenes. EPS has a tough job balancing all these demands.
S
Sarah B
As an observer, Vijay's entry adds a fresh dynamic. His "secular" stand is a direct challenge to the existing alliances. But going alone in a first election is a huge risk. Will the "people's team" appeal translate into votes? 🤔 The youth seem excited.
M
Meera T
Respectfully, I wish the announcements were about policy visions and not just seat-sharing talks. We hear about alliances and constituencies, but what about concrete plans for water, jobs, and healthcare? That's what matters to us common people.
V
Vikram M
NTK contesting all 234 seats alone again! They may not win many, but they can definitely spoil the game for others in close constituencies. This election is going to be a tightrope walk for both major fronts. April 23 can't come soon enough!

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