The chances of a pact between actor Vijayakant’s DMDK and the DMK for the coming Lok Sabha elections appeared remote as the latter is finding it difficult to accommodate its demands.

“We have informed the DMDK our inability to fulfil its demands, particularly the number of seats it is seeking. We are not going to resume talks unless the party comes to us. Now, it is for Mr. Vijayakant to take a decision,” an informed DMK source told The Hindu.

The two parties had opened channels of communication after the AIADMK and the BJP were unable to reach an understanding with the DMDK. Following this, former TNCC president Su. Thirunavukkarasar met Mr. Vijayakant and later DMK president M. K. Stalin called on him.

“We thought the DMDK could off set the absence of the PMK in our alliance to some extent. Even though Mr. Vijayakant no longer enjoyed the vote base he used to have, he could still play a role in the byelection to the 21 Assembly constituencies,” said the DMK source.

DMK allies upset

The developments have come as relief to the other parties that are seeking to reach a poll pact with the DMK. At the same time, the smaller parties, including the Left parties, are upset over the delay in seats sharing with the DMK, as it wanted to seal an understanding with the DMDK first.

“If they are holding talks with the DMDK, the DMK leaders should have informed us. They did not bother to take us into confidence even when the DMK approached the PMK for an alliance,” said a Communist party leader. He was upset that the DMK leaders expected them to rush to Anna Arivalayam (party headquarters) when they called suddenly.

The DMK has so far completed seats sharing with the Congress, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Kongu Desiya Makkal Katchi (KDMK). Though the CPI, CPI (M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) met the members of the committee constituted by the DMK to hold talks, they could not make much progress. “We are not able to explain to our party leaders and cadres about the delay. The media is also questioning us about seat-sharing talks,” said another Left leader.

DMK sources said “numbers” remained a hitch in finalising the seat-sharing. “The potential allies have placed a number (on seats) and we are holding talks,” the source said.