Tamil Nadu assembly polls: Smaller allies to contest in BJP or AIADMk symbol

CHENNAI: With seat sharing talks nearing completion in the AIADMK front, the principal opposition party as well as key ally BJP are attempting to get smaller parties to contest in their symbols.

Puthiya Needhi Katchi leader AC Shanmugam has conveyed willingness to field candidates on the BJP's lotus symbol in constituencies earmarked for his party. The party contested in BJP's symbol in 2014 and 204 Lok Sabha elections, and in AIADMK's symbol in 2019 LS election and 2021 assembly election. This time, Shanmugam has been demanding three seats and has conveyed his inclination to contest in Lotus symbol. Puratchi Bharatham party, set to get one seat, is also expected to contest in Lotus symbol.

In contrast, sources indicated that John Pandian's Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) is likely to contest in AIADMK's symbol.

Meanwhile, IJK founder Paarivendar has opted to contest under his party's ‘mike' symbol, recently recognised as a common symbol by the Election Commission of India. "They have agreed to our demand and there has been no compulsion to contest on other symbols," he said.

The Tamil Maanila Congress, led by GK Vasan, has also conveyed preference to contest under its cycle symbol. Vasan had skipped the NDA meeting at the AIADMK office on Monday, an expression of his dissatisfaction over seats.

Party sources said the leadership anticipated a larger share, particularly in the backdrop of expectations over a Rajya Sabha term not materialising.