Ruling party likely to contest 21 or 22 constituencies

The AIADMK, which is in the process of finalising partners for the Lok Sabha polls, may field a majority of its nominees in the northern and western districts of the State.

Even though the ruling party is yet to conclude pacts with the DMDK and the Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar), whose inclusion seems probable, it is likely to contest in 21 constituencies (including one allotted to the New Justice Party). If the TMC (Moopanar) chooses to contest on the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol of the ruling party, the number will go up to 22.

Of the seats that the party may contest, 11 would be from the northern and western regions. The probable constituencies are Tiruvallur, South Chennai, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram, Chidambaram, Namakkal, Tirupur, Salem, Pollachi and The Nilgiris.

In the central belt, the ruling party could try its luck in Karur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Perambalur and Tiruchi, while in the south, it is likely to field its nominees in Madurai, Virudhunagar, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul and Tirunelveli. The TMC (Moopanar) is expected to get Mayiladuthurai in the central region.

Basis for the list

This list of probable constituencies has been drawn up on the basis of consultations with leaders of the constituent parties of the AIADMK-led front, the ruling party’s performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and recalibration of data on the vote share secured by the AIADMK in the 2016 Assembly election.

‘Inconclusive’

Informal discussions are under way among the constituents of the alliance with regard to allotment of seats, and they have remained inconclusive. For example, the ruling party and the BJP are yet to reach an understanding on the allotment of a constituency in Chennai. While the AIADMK favours North Chennai to be allotted to the other party, the BJP prefers South Chennai.

There could be changes to the list, given the fact that the process of identification of constituencies is yet to be completed.