DMK and Congress Finalize Seat Sharing Agreement in Tamil Nadu

In a significant political development, the DMK and Congress have reached a seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections. Following discussions led by senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram and DMK President M.K. Stalin, Congress is expected to secure 28 or 29 assembly seats, an increase from their previous count. This agreement also includes a Rajya Sabha seat, marking a crucial step in the coalition's strategy. As negotiations have progressed, both parties have engaged in extensive discussions to finalize the details, ensuring a balanced representation in the upcoming elections. Read on for more insights into this political alliance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 4, 2026, 17:11 IST

Seat Sharing Agreement Reached

After several days of suspense and negotiations, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress are set to finalize their seat-sharing agreement. Sources from both parties have confirmed this development. It is anticipated that Congress will receive 28 or 29 assembly seats, an increase from the 25 seats contested in 2021, along with one Rajya Sabha seat.

This breakthrough follows a personal discussion between senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram and DMK President and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

Congress Leadership Approves Agreement

According to party insiders, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has given his approval for this arrangement to party president Mallikarjun Kharge. Based on this approval, Kharge has tasked Chidambaram with conducting final negotiations with DMK leadership to finalize the alliance agreement. This move places the experienced former Union minister at the center of negotiations with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's party, which leads the ruling coalition in Tamil Nadu.

Details of the Negotiations

Sources familiar with the discussions indicate that DMK has offered Congress 27 assembly constituencies under the coalition formula. However, there are indications that the final agreement may slightly increase the number of seats to 28 to meet the demands of Congress leadership. In addition to the assembly seats, there is also a possibility of Congress receiving a Rajya Sabha seat as part of a broader political agreement between the two allied parties.

Insiders suggest that the Rajya Sabha seat will be a crucial component of the agreement aimed at maintaining balance within the coalition. Negotiations regarding seat sharing between DMK and Congress have been ongoing for several weeks, involving extensive discussions, with Congress initially seeking a larger number of seats.