Chennai, April 3 As smaller parties rally behind the Dravidian major parties, the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK have allowed their allies to compete directly in 21 constituencies in the April 23 Assembly election, aiming to demonstrate their strength in their respective strongholds.
These smaller parties, divided among the two major alliances – the SPA (under the DMK) and the NDA led by AIADMK – will have the backing of the Dravidian major parties, but they will eventually need to demonstrate their individual influence among voters in the constituencies they are contesting.
Former film director Seeman's Naam Tamilar Katchi and actor-politician Vijay-led TVK are contesting in all 234 constituencies in the state, but they are doing so independently. The two parties heavily rely on their respective leaders.
The arch-rivals, DMK and AIADMK, are engaged in a direct contest in 121 constituencies.
The Congress will compete with the PMK (NDA) in Sholinghur, Pennagaram, Mayiladuthurai, while the DMDK (SPA) will fight against the PMK in Dharmapuri, Polur, Salem (West), and Virudhachalam. Another ally of the DMK, the VCK led by Thol Thirumavalavan, is pitted against the PMK in Kattumannarkoil and Tiruporur.
The Congress will also compete with the BJP and AMMK (NDA) in Udhagamandalam, Aranthangi, Vilavancode, Killiyoor, and Colachel. The Left parties will compete with the BJP in Gandharvakottai, Padmanabhapuram, Thalli, and Kilvelur.
The Congress will challenge the AMMK in Karaikudi and Nanguneri, and the VCK will take on the AMMK in Periyakulam.
The DMK, leading the Secular Progressive Alliance, is contesting from 175 seats, while the AIADMK is in the fray in 169 constituencies.
Single-phase elections to 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23, with the counting scheduled for May 4.
