Elections – CPM Pushes for Singanallur Seat in DMK Alliance Talks
Elections – The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has renewed its demand for the Singanallur Assembly constituency as discussions over seat sharing continue within the DMK-led alliance ahead of the 2026 state elections. Party leaders indicate that district secretary C Padmanabhan may be considered as the candidate if the seat is eventually allotted to the party.
Renewed Demand for Singanallur Constituency
The CPM has identified Singanallur in Coimbatore district as a priority seat during the ongoing negotiations. According to party sources, the constituency holds strategic importance due to its significant working-class population, which the party believes aligns with its core voter base. Leaders argue that their presence in industrial areas gives them a competitive advantage in the region.
Background from Previous Elections
In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, CPM did not contest in any of the ten constituencies in Coimbatore district. Instead, it was allocated six seats in other parts of the state, including Nagapattinam, Gandarvakkottai, Kovilpatti, Dindigul, Thiruparankungram, and Harur. The party managed to secure victories in two of those constituencies—Nagapattinam and Gandarvakkottai.
Historically, Singanallur has seen limited direct participation from CPM in recent years. The party last had a winning representative in the constituency in 2001, when K C Karunakaran served as MLA. In the 2006 elections, CPM contested from Singanallur as part of the DMK alliance, but its candidate A Soundararajan narrowly lost the seat by just 14 votes to the AIADMK contender.
Absence from the Constituency in Recent Years
Since that closely fought contest in 2006, CPM has not directly fielded candidates in Singanallur. In 2016, when the party was part of the Makkal Nala Kootani alliance, the seat was allocated to another alliance partner, MDMK. This prolonged absence has strengthened the party’s resolve to re-establish its presence in the constituency.
Party functionaries emphasize that returning to Singanallur would help them reconnect with grassroots supporters, particularly among industrial workers and labor communities in Coimbatore.
Seat-Sharing Negotiations with DMK
During the first round of alliance discussions, CPM reportedly submitted a list of 20 constituencies where it expressed interest in contesting. Singanallur was prominently included among these demands. However, negotiations have not been straightforward.
A senior party member revealed that the CPM initially sought a double-digit allocation of seats, aiming for up to ten constituencies. In contrast, during the second round of talks, the DMK leadership proposed a significantly lower number, beginning with four seats—two fewer than what CPM had contested in the previous election.
Differences Persist in Talks
Negotiators from the DMK side have reportedly suggested that CPM consider limiting its expectations to a maximum of five seats, citing the example of the Communist Party of India (CPI), which has already agreed to a similar arrangement. However, CPM leaders have not accepted this proposal so far.
Party insiders also indicated that certain policy positions taken by CPM—such as its involvement in labor-related protests, including issues concerning industrial workers, electricity meter implementation, and changes in working hours—have been raised during discussions. Despite this, CPM maintains that its stance reflects its commitment to worker rights and should not affect seat allocation decisions.
Ongoing Discussions Ahead of 2026 Polls
With negotiations still underway, both sides appear to be working toward a compromise. CPM continues to press for a fair share of seats, particularly in regions where it believes it has a strong voter base. The outcome of these discussions is expected to play a key role in shaping the alliance dynamics in Tamil Nadu as the 2026 Assembly elections approach.