Seat sharing deal with DMDK hits roadblock as no consensual views with AIADMK

Seat sharing negotiations between the ruling AIADMK and DMDK appeared to have hit a roadblock as a poll deal between them could not be concluded ahead of a rally addressed near here by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Though AIADMK top leader O Panneerselvam had days ago said that poll deals would be concluded ahead of the PM's rally, including with DMDK, so that leaders of all alliance parties could take part in the rally, it did not fructify.

Senior DMDK leader L K Sudeesh told reporters that there were "no roadblocks" in the talks between his party and the AIADMK. He expressed hope that the seat-sharing exercise would be finalised in a day or two with the ruling party. He said he also held talks with BJP leader Piyush Goyal -at a hotel- and added that parleys would continue.

Giving a spicy turn to the protracted delay in conclusion of the AIADMK-DMDK talks, DMK created a flutter by saying that the DMDK sought accommodation in its camp. "I told them (DMDK) that there are no seats left to offer," DMK leader Duraimurugan told reporters here.

The M K Stalin-led Dravidian party leader said that two senior functionaries approached him seeking DMDK's accommodation in the DMK-led front. "Our top leader M K Stalin is out of town and I will apprise him about this," he said. The DMDK functionaries, however, told reporters that they met Duraimurugan for a "personal" reason.

(With inputs from agencies.)