CHENNAI: By giving away more seats to it allies, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam may have enhanced chances of securing a majority for the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA). Most, if not all its allies feel they have got a "good deal'' and their cadres may be more enthused to work for a DPA victory. But for the "equitable seat-sharing,'' alliance leaders confess, their partymen may not have been impelled to work for a DMK victory.

Now there seems to be more at stake in the Assembly elections for all of them. At the heart of the issue is the impression that by contesting just 125 seats, the DMK may not be able to secure a majority of its own. Consequently, whether they form a coalition or support a Ministry from outside, the allies will have a better say.

To that extent, the DPA constituents feel there may be "more involvement, better field work and greater coordination'' among the allies and their cadres. This, they say, has been possible due to the exit of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

Its share of at least 22 seats was available for re-distribution among the allies. Consequently, the Congress, which could have ended up with 40 seats, landed 48; the Pattali Makkal Katchi, whose share was in the 25-27 range, ended up with 31 and the two Left parties together got 23 seats instead of 20 or even 18. Even the Indian Union Muslim League bagged three seats.

Though the PMK and the CPI may not have been fully satisfied with the allotment, they concede it is higher than what the DMK intended to give earlier. As a result of this `generosity', the DMK, is left with only 129 seats, out of which another one or two may be given to "friendly groups.'' It will, perhaps, be the second lowest number of seats the DMK has contested in recent times.

DMK sources argue it is "only in the interests of the alliance'' that their leader parted with so many seats. Rather than having a "dissatisfied DPA,'' it was considered better to have a "fully involved and satisfied team.''

As DMK president M.Karunanidhi said, "Our sacrifice will be rewarded.'' His party functionaries agree. They realise it may become an election issue, but the DPA appears confident of dealing with it as the campaign picks up.

"We start with the confidence that the DPA is not just stronger and united but has the electoral arithmetic on its side. We gel well now. Our feedback is that the MDMK has lost credibility by aligning with the AIADMK. And we have a point to prove,'' reasons an election committee member.

AIADMK criticism

The AIADMK seniors are scoffing at the DMK for "bartering away so many seats.''

They insist that "fear of losing has gripped the DMK, which is desperately trying to keep the DPA together and win more seats.''

On the other hand the AIADMK will keep a "sufficient number of seats'' to win an absolute majority on its own.

DPA leaders counter the claim saying the "concept of coalition'' has come to stay and gained "overwhelming acceptance'' among people.

They plan to focus on "durability and performance'' of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre and the track record of Union Ministers from Tamil Nadu.

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