Chennai, February 22 IUML president Kader Mohideen formally requested the DMK for five assembly constituencies on Sunday, ahead of the upcoming elections.
The IUML leader further advocated for greater Muslim representation within the alliance, stating that 16 constituencies should be allocated to various Muslim organizations under the DMK umbrella to ensure adequate legislative representation.
The DMK leads the Secular Progressive Alliance for the 2026 Assembly election.
Emerging from a meeting with the DMK's seat-sharing committee led by T R Baalu, Mohideen emphasised the role of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) as more than just a political entity, describing it as a "community-based political party" representing over 60 lakh Muslim voters in Tamil Nadu.
"During Kalaignar's (M Karunanidhi) time, he gave five assembly constituencies to the IUML. We requested the current DMK leadership to allot the same number," he told reporters here.
Citing late Karunanidhi's past acceptance of this formula based on the community's presence in every one of the 234 assembly segments, Mohideen further advocated for greater Muslim representation within the alliance, stating that 16 constituencies should be allocated to various Muslim organizations under the DMK umbrella.
"Based on that, we are saying that 16 Muslim MLAs should go (to the assembly). We clearly communicated this to them," he said.