If Congress and DMDK are given more seats, CPI(M) cannot be denied its share: Shanmugam

Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary P. Shanmugam said on Saturday (March 14, 2026) that there was no justification for denying more seats to the Left parties in the DMK alliance, especially since more seats were allotted to the Congress and reports indicated that the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) would also get a higher share.

Speaking to reporters after paying respect to the Karl Marx statue at Egmore, he said the party had already explained its stand to the seat-sharing committee of the DMK. “The DMK told us that since more parties have joined the alliance, it would not be able to give us more seats. But the Congress has been allotted more seats, despite problems. Media reports say that the DMDK may also get more seats. There is no justification for denying the Left parties more seats,” he said.

Mr. Shanmugam said the CPI(M) was particular about contesting in more seats than it did in the previous elections. Asked about reports that the CPI and the CPI(M) would be allotted five seats each, he said in such a scenario, the party’s State committee would take a decision.

“If fighting the communal force is important, getting seats proportionate to the strength of the CPI(M) is equally important. The party’s interest is also important,” he said.

Mr. Shanmugam said his party would have the next round of talks with the committee on March 27 as the DMK was busy with the district secretaries meeting on March 26.