Chennai, Feb 24 (NationPress) As the Assembly elections approach, the Communist Party of India (CPI) has formed a four-member panel tasked with negotiating seat-sharing agreements with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) within the framework of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA).

This initiative was confirmed during a meeting of the CPI State Executive Committee convened in Chennai, overseen by veteran leader S. Kalaichelvam.

The establishment of this committee signifies the official commencement of the party's election preparations, indicating the initiation of organized discussions within the DMK-led alliance.

The committee will be chaired by CPI State Secretary M. Veerapandian and will also include prominent leaders R. Mutharasan, K. Subbarayan, and G. Palanisamy.

This team is authorized to engage directly with DMK leaders on behalf of CPI to finalize the terms of seat distribution.

According to sources within the party, the initial round of discussions regarding seat-sharing among alliance members is scheduled for February 27.

The CPI's negotiation committee will represent the party during these talks and is expected to assert its demands based on organizational strength, past electoral performance, and grassroots evaluations across various constituencies.

As a significant player in the Secular Progressive Alliance led by the DMK, the CPI has historically contested a limited yet strategically crucial number of seats in the state. Party officials noted that the Executive Committee assessed the political landscape in Tamil Nadu, evaluated the performance of the state government, and deliberated on a comprehensive electoral strategy before sanctioning the formation of this committee.

Sources indicate that the CPI aims to reinforce its traditional strongholds while also identifying opportunities in constituencies where it has increased its influence in recent years.

The leadership underscored the necessity of unity within the alliance and coordinated campaigning to effectively counter the opposition in what is anticipated to be a closely monitored election.

The creation of this negotiating panel comes amid a surge in political activity in the state, as major parties accelerate their alliance discussions and electoral strategies leading up to the official announcement of the polling schedule.

With the first round of discussions approaching later this week, all eyes will be focused on the evolving dynamics of seat-sharing within the DMK-led alliance.