Chennai, February 28 The formal talks with the ruling DMK have been "amicable and cordial," and the Congress is hopeful that its demands will be met, AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu Girish Chodankar said on Saturday.
The talks between the two parties helped them to understand each other's concerns, and both discussed "issues" openly, he said.
"We are trying to address the concerns of both parties and find the best way to protect the interests of our supporters," Chodankar said, emerging from the nearly hour-long discussion with the DMK at the latter's state headquarters, Anna Arivalayam here.
When asked if the discussions revolved around power-sharing and the number of seats, he told reporters, "Both of us freely exchanged our concerns. They offered a Rajya Sabha seat," he said.
"As I said, the talks were very cordial and very friendly. We exchanged our wish-lists. We will update you once the talks conclude. We are hopeful and confident that our demands will be met," Chodankar further said.
When asked if the Congress sought a share in power with the DMK, he replied, "They understood this issue. We discussed issues openly. Our entire focus now is to ensure that the DMK returns to power."
The Congress leader claimed that many people were "leaving the NDA," and the BJP's agenda was to "finish off" the AIADMK.
On whether the Congress party was also in touch with actor-politician Vijay's TVK, he shot back, "We are at the DMK headquarters."
TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai denied that the Congress simultaneously initiated talks with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and said that the DMK has agreed to consider the demands of the grand old party.
Meanwhile, DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan denied any rift in ties and said that the Congress leadership has always insisted that it would face the upcoming Assembly poll with the DMK.
The Congress delegation, led by AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu Girish Chodankar, TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai, and AICC co-incharge Niveditha Alva, participated in the discussions with the DMK panel led by senior Parliamentarian T R Baalu.
"Let's not speculate. We will get back to you with details," Chodankar earlier told reporters when asked about the number of seats the grand old party would demand from the DMK and whether a Rajya Sabha seat has been promised to the Congress.
The Congress, which is a key constituent of the DMK-led alliance, has high expectations of securing more than the 25 Assembly seats it contested in the 2021 election, a Rajya Sabha seat, besides a share in power.