Chennai/Trichy: BJP has reached out to AIADMK, seeking a swap of five constituencies to accommodate key leaders, including K Annamalai, M Venkatesan, K T Raghavan, and K Vasantha Rajan, amid growing unease within the party over the current seat allocation.
The allocation triggered criticism within party circles, with concerns that several DMK strongholds have been assigned to BJP, forcing its candidates to take on as many as 13 DMK ministers, including E V Velu and Anitha Radhakrishnan. Protests have been reported in T Nagar, Coimbatore and Palani, with cadres questioning the choice of constituencies allotted to the party.
Party sources said Vasantha Rajan is being considered for Kinathukadavu in Coimbatore district, a seat which has been allotted to AIADMK MLA S Damodharan. “We have asked for Chengalpet for K T Raghavan, and Egmore for writer Venkatesan,” said a senior BJP leader. “Talks are ongoing, and we may know the decision by Sunday how many seats will be swapped,” a state-level BJP functionary said. Sources in AIADMK said there have been internal representations seeking swapping of seats with BJP. A proposal has been conveyed through Viralimalai MLA and former minister C Vijayabaskar, they said.
In all these constituencies, the DMK has fielded its candidates. As for Annamalai, discussions are underway to secure a suitable constituency for him in Coimbatore, Karur or elsewhere. The unease is not limited to BJP.
The distribution of seats has also raised questions over district-wise allocation. BJP has been allotted three seats in Pudukkottai district, while in Coimbatore where the party is seen to have stronger prospects, it has secured only one. the allocation of Aranthangi and Gandarvakottai (reserved) constituencies came as a surprise While Pudukkottai was expected to go to BJP following Union home minister Amit Shah’s visit in Jan for the final leg of Nagenthran’s statewide campaign.