The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) recently released its third and final list of candidates for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections to be held on April 23.
The party, which heads the alliance, retained most of the constituencies it won in the 2021 assembly elections.
Seat share of each party in the AIADMK-led NDA alliance
AiADMK – 167
BJP – 27
PMK – 18
AMMK – 11
TMC(M) – 5
IJK – 2
Tamilaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam – 1st
Puratchi Bharatham – 1
Page New Justice – 1
Singa Tamilar Munnetra Kazhagam – 1st
Seat sharing of the AIADMK-led NDA alliance
Of the 234 assembly constituencies in the state, the AIADMK will contest in 167 constituencies, with the remaining seats allotted to its alliance partners.
The BJP, a key component of the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance in Tamil Nadu, won 27 seats, seven more than the number it contested in 2021.
The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has been allotted 18 constituencies, five less than what was contested five years ago. The reduction in seats for the PMK is attributed to the perception that the party no longer has the strength it had a few years ago, as former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss and his father and PMK founder S. Ramadoss lead their own factions. PMK Dr. Anbumani’s is part of the NDA.
TTV Dhinakaran’s Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), a splinter group of the AIADMK, won 11 seats. The Manila Tamil Congress (Moopanar) won five seats and will contest the BJP’s lotus symbol in Oddanchathiram, Erode West, Ranipet, Killiyoor and Kumbakonam.
Indiya Jananayaka Katchi (IJK), led by TR Paarivendhar, will contest from two constituencies, Pallavaram and Kunnam. Puratchi Bharatham led by Poovai Jaganmoorthy will fight for one seat.
In addition, the Tamilaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK), led by John Pandian, was allotted the Rajapalayam constituency. New Justice Party and Singa Tamilar Munnetra Kazhagam (STMK) won one seat each.
Seat sharing in the delta area
In central constituencies, the AIADMK has allotted 12 out of 41 constituencies to its NDA partners. The central belt includes the districts of Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukkottai, Ariyalur, Perambalur and Karur.
AMMK was allotted Tiruchi West, Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district and Thiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district. PMK will contest from Kilveluru (SC) in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai district.
The BJP secured the highest number of seats among allies in the central region with five constituencies namely Gandharvakottai (SC), Aranthangi and Pudukkottai (all three in Pudukkottai district) and Thanjavur and Tiruvarur constituencies in their respective districts.
Tamil Maanila Congress has been allotted Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district while Indiya Jananayaka Katchi will contest from Kunnam in Perambalur district. The remaining 29 constituencies in the central region will be contested by the AIADMK.
Seat sharing in southern districts
The AIADMK allotted 19 assembly constituencies in 10 southern districts to its allies, with the BJP emerging as the main beneficiary, securing 12 seats. AMMK will contest four seats while Tamil Maanila Congress and Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam won two and one seat respectively.
In Kanniyakumari district, the AIADMK ceded five of the six assembly constituencies to its allies, four to the BJP and one, Killiyoor, to the TMC. The party will retain the Kanniyakumari Assembly constituency won by N. Dhalavai Sundaram in the 2021 assembly elections. Overall, the AIADMK is expected to contest 39 of the 58 parliamentary seats in the southern districts.
West lane seat sharing
In the western region, one of the party’s traditional strongholds, the AIADMK will contest in 31 constituencies. The region is also home to several senior party leaders, including general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who represents Edappadi, deputy general secretary KP Munusamy from Veppanahalli and former ministers P. Thangamani from Kumarapalayam and SP Velumani from Thondamuthur.
Seat sharing in the north lane
Of the 78 constituencies in the northern belt of Tamil Nadu, including the districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chennai Chengalpattu, Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Villupuram and Cuddalore, the BJP was allotted constituencies, na.salamurai, Tiru
The PMK, which holds sway among a section of the Vanniyar community, has been allotted the following constituencies in northern Tamil Nadu: Polur, Gingee, Virudhachalam, Vikravandi, Solingar, Rishivandiyam, Kattumannarkoil, Perambur, Ambattur, Thiruporur and Uthiramerur.
AMMK was allotted Saidapet, Tirupattur and Poonamallee (SC). TMC (M) was allotted Ranipet while IJK was allotted Pallavaram constituency. Kilvaithinankuppam constituency was allotted to Puratchi Bharatham party.
In Chennai, the AIADMK will contest in 13 of the 16 assembly constituencies.
Seat sharing in reserved constituencies
The AIADMK also allotted 11 constituencies reserved for scheduled castes to its allies.
Of these, five constituencies, Avanashi, Rasipuram, Gandharvakottai, Vasudevanallur and Manamadurai, were earmarked for the BJP. Periyakulam, Ottapidaram and Poonamallee were allotted to AMMK while Kattumannarkoil and Kilvelur went to PMK. Kilvaithinankuppam (KV Kuppam), was assigned to Puratchi Bharatham. There are a total of 44 SC constituencies in the state.
