Senior leaders from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress met recently to begin discussions about seat distribution for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2026. The meetings are a crucial step in solidifying the alliance between the two parties, known as the Secular Progressive Alliance.

Alliance Talks Underway for 2026 Polls

The Congress party has sent a five-member team to Chennai to hold talks with the DMK's seat-sharing committee. The primary objective of these meetings is to determine how many seats each party will contest in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. This follows the recent finalization of a seat-sharing agreement for the Lok Sabha polls, where the Congress was allotted nine seats in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry.

• Key Meeting: Congress leader K.C. Venugopal met with DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on December 3rd in Chennai to officially start these discussions.

• Alliance Continuity: The Congress has confirmed its commitment to the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which is part of the larger INDIA bloc. This announcement aimed to quell any speculation about potential shifts in alliance, such as aligning with actor Vijay's newly formed Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).

Historical Seat Distribution and Current Demands

Past election results and current political dynamics influence the ongoing negotiations. The DMK, as the leading party in the alliance, is in a position to offer seats based on previous election outcomes.

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• Previous Lok Sabha Deal: For the recent Lok Sabha polls, the DMK allocated nine seats to the Congress in Tamil Nadu and the sole seat in Puducherry.

• Other Allies: Other parties in the alliance, like the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), received two seats each in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha elections.

• IUML's Position: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), another ally, has expressed its interest in securing 16 seats for Muslim organizations, referencing historical allocations during the tenure of former DMK leader M. Karunanidhi. The IUML specifically seeks five seats for itself, highlighting its role as a socio-political organization representing various jamats in Tamil Nadu.

Navigating Alliance Dynamics

The seat-sharing talks are not without their complexities, involving strategic considerations and internal party dynamics.

• Internal Congress Factions: Reports suggest the existence of two factions within the Tamil Nadu Congress, potentially influencing their negotiation strategy.

• Bargaining Chips: There is speculation that the Congress might be using potential alliances with new political entities, such as actor Vijay's TVK, as leverage to negotiate a more favorable seat-sharing deal with the DMK. Some within the Congress are reportedly advocating for more assertive negotiations.

• DMK's Stance: DMK leaders have privately expressed frustration regarding the pace of these negotiations, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining the alliance. They believe the DMK is in a strong position and can offer a similar number of seats as in the 2021 assembly elections.

DMK's Internal Preparations

While alliance talks are ongoing, the DMK has also initiated its internal process for candidate selection for the Assembly elections.

• Application Period: The DMK has opened applications for potential candidates from February 20th to March 2nd.

• Application Fees: Aspirants are required to pay a fee of Rs 25,000 for general constituencies and Rs 15,000 for reserved constituencies. Women aspirants must pay Rs 15,000 regardless of constituency type.

• Publicity Campaign: The party has planned a door-to-door campaign from February 23rd to March 8th to publicize the achievements of the DMK government.

• The information regarding specific numbers of seats discussed or demanded by the Congress in internal deliberations, such as "45 seats," remains unconfirmed and is presented as reported speculation.

• The extent to which the Congress might "push" the DMK in deal talks or whether the alliance is "on the brink" is based on political commentary and interpretation rather than direct statements from the parties.

Expert Analysis

Political analysts note that the timing and nature of these discussions are typical for alliance-building ahead of significant elections. The DMK, having recently secured a pact for the Lok Sabha polls, appears to be managing its alliance partners systematically. The Congress, while part of a larger national bloc, also faces the need to solidify its position within key state alliances like the one in Tamil Nadu. The mention of actor Vijay's TVK suggests a shifting political landscape where new alignments and the leverage of emerging forces are being factored into traditional negotiations.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The ongoing seat-sharing talks between the DMK and the Congress are a significant development in the lead-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Both parties are working to consolidate their alliance, despite internal considerations and external speculations. The DMK's parallel internal preparations for candidate selection indicate a proactive approach to the upcoming electoral contest. The success of these negotiations will be critical in defining the strength and unity of the Secular Progressive Alliance as it prepares to face the elections. The eventual seat distribution will reflect the bargaining power and strategic alignments of each constituent party within the alliance.

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• The speculation surrounding a potential Congress exit from the DMK alliance or a specific alignment with the BJP is not supported by current evidence provided.

• The detailed nature of the stampede incident at a TVK rally and its connection to Rahul Gandhi's phone call with Vijay is mentioned but not elaborated upon as a direct cause or consequence within the provided text.

Sources

• The Hindu: Tamil Nadu election: DMK begins seat-sharing talks with allies, K.C. Venugopal to meet MK Stalin

• Context: This article provides details on the commencement of seat-sharing talks for the 2026 polls and includes demands from ally IUML.

• Hindustan Times (via AOL): Cong team to meet Stalin, kick start seat talks for 2026 polls

• Context: This article details the Congress team's meeting with Stalin, mentions speculation about seat numbers, and confirms the alliance's continuation with the DMK, dispelling rumors of an alliance with TVK.

• The Indian Express: Tamil Nadu alliance on the brink: How far can Congress push DMK in deal talks?

• Context: This article delves into the political maneuvering and potential pressures within the DMK-Congress alliance talks, highlighting internal Congress factions and DMK frustrations.

• Scroll.in: Lok Sabha polls: DMK and Congress finalise seat-sharing pact in Tamil Nadu

• Context: This article reports on the finalization of the seat-sharing agreement for the Lok Sabha polls between the DMK and Congress, specifying the number of seats allocated.

• The Federal: Is Congress using Vijay’s TVK to bargain harder with DMK?

• Context: This article explores the theory that the Congress might be using actor Vijay's TVK as a bargaining chip in its negotiations with the DMK.

• Prokerala: DMK invites applications from seat aspirants for TN Assembly polls

• Context: This article details the DMK's internal process for inviting applications from potential candidates for the Assembly polls, including application fees and deadlines.