Cong, DMK seat-sharing talks inconclusive

The first formal seat-sharing talks between the Congress and the DMK for the Tamil Nadu assembly polls due in May remained inconclusive today, but the allies expressed confidence that the numbers would be finalised within the next three days.

The first formal seat-sharing talks between the Congress and the DMK for the Tamil Nadu assembly polls due in May remained inconclusive on Sunday, but the allies expressed confidence that the numbers would be finalised within the next three days.

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Sources said the DMK was resisting the Congress demand to concede 80 seats and share power. The DMK, the sources said, wanted to settle for 60.

The Congress had contested 48 seats in the 2006 assembly polls and won 34 (it later won a by-election, taking its strength to 35).

It had extended outside support to the DMK, which won 96 out of the 132 seats it contested and formed the government in a House of 234.

The DMK had contested the last polls in alliance with the Congress, CPI(M), CPI, PMK and IUML. Now, the Left parties have joined the AIADMK front.

Both parties have formed five-member committees for the seat-sharing talks.