When the DMK government took charge in May, Stalin was given charge of the local administration portfolio. This sent a clear message to their allies and party insiders, that the party’s success in the local elections would be the time when Stalin proves his mettle, and demonstrate his ability to manage elections, and lead the party during election time.

An important aspect of leading a party during elections is seat sharing talks. This time round, the DMK can go it alone and even emerge victorious, but for the stability of its government in the state, it needs to carry its allies along this time too. This time the party isn’t in the mood for a coalition at the local level, therefore it aims to bargain hard and be able to contest 50% of the seats. As this report in Indian Express states (requires registration to access)

The DMK, the senior partner, may demand a 50 percent share in the seats to be fought on party lines, leaving the rest to be shared by the Congress, PMK and the two Left parties. The DMK will apportion from its own share seats for the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) led by Khader Mohideen.

It is also expected that the constituents of the DPA should be allotted the seats that they had won during the last local bodies elections.

The seats won by the AIADMK and its current allies, as well as those of the BJP, which had been with the DMK alliance last time, would be shared by the DPA in such a manner as to conform to the percentage agreed upon.

Sources in most DPA constituents say that the process would be smooth, and that the alliance would carry on the winning streak into the local body elections also.

The general feeling is that the time to prepare for the elections is too short to prepare for the elections. These elections are the acid test for Stalin, a time for him to send a clear message to his detractors that he is the next contender for the party leadership, which is expected to be a messy battle, with some eager TN watchers predicting the party might split after MK’s tenure into different warring factions.

In the state assembly elections, DMK lost a lot of seats in its stronghold of Chennai, the municipal corporation elections are an opportunity for the DMK to regain its stronghold, and establish their support bases. Most of important leaders stronghold is in the city, and its even more that they win in their strongholds. The DMK is desperate to win these elections, which is why it is fulfilling its poll promises, no on expected it to fulfill such as the free color TV scheme. A loss in these elections for the DMK is a clear indication that the voters don’t have faith in the current administration.