Chennai, Feb 19 (NationPress) The DMK has opened the application process for prospective candidates aiming to run in the forthcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, marking an important step in the party's electoral strategy.

In an official announcement, the party indicated that those interested can submit their applications from February 20 to March 2. Candidates vying for seats in general constituencies are required to pay a fee of Rs 25,000 along with their application, while those targeting reserved constituencies must submit Rs 15,000. Women candidates will need to pay Rs 15,000 regardless of the constituency category, as per the party's guidelines.

This announcement coincides with ongoing efforts by DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to strengthen the ruling party's alliance framework.

CM Stalin convened a meeting with senior party leaders to discuss alliance strategies and to assemble a team for negotiating seat-sharing arrangements with coalition partners. This development followed a public assurance from Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal during his visit to Chennai, affirming that the Congress-DMK alliance remains robust.

The statement emerged after comments from certain Congress leaders, including Virudhunagar MP B. Manickam Tagore, which had raised concerns about potential rifts within the alliance. Sources indicate that CM Stalin expressed dissatisfaction over these remarks but later reached out to a prominent Congress figure in New Delhi to resolve any tensions.

After these discussions, Venugopal reiterated the Congress leadership’s dedication to maintaining the alliance.

Notable leaders present at CM Stalin’s meeting included DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru, and Public Works Minister E.V. Velu.

Stalin reportedly briefed them on the current alliance status and the planned approach for seat-sharing negotiations.

Alongside candidate selection and managing alliances, the DMK has also launched a new outreach initiative named “Vellum Tamil Pengal”. Under this program, the party's women’s wing members will embark on a door-to-door campaign from February 23 to March 8, coinciding with International Women’s Day, to highlight the achievements of the DMK government. Each booth will have ten women cadres assigned to execute this campaign.

With the call for applications and grassroots mobilization in progress, the DMK has indicated a proactive and organized approach to its electoral preparations.