DMK and Congress Initiate Seat Sharing Talks for Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

As Tamil Nadu gears up for its assembly elections, the DMK and Congress have begun formal discussions on seat sharing. With Congress seeking a larger allocation of seats compared to the last election, tensions arise as DMK remains hesitant. The initial talks are set to take place at the DMK headquarters, with key representatives from both parties involved. This meeting is crucial as both parties aim to finalize their alliance strategy ahead of the elections scheduled for April-May. Stay tuned for updates on the outcomes of these negotiations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 28, 2026, 17:36 IST

Preparations for Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

Political parties in Tamil Nadu have commenced their preparations for the upcoming assembly elections. Both the Congress and DMK are rapidly advancing their electoral strategies, with intense discussions underway regarding seat allocations. Currently, there are some unresolved issues concerning seat sharing, which will prompt the initiation of negotiations.

Formal Talks Begin

Putting an end to various speculations regarding their alliance, the DMK and Congress have announced that they will officially start discussions on seat sharing for the assembly elections scheduled for April-May. The first round of talks is set to take place at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, at 10:30 AM.

Congress's Demands and DMK's Stance

Congress is seeking a larger number of seats compared to the previous election, a demand that DMK is currently reluctant to accept. The aim of the meeting is to find a consensus. According to Congress, DMK contested 173 seats in the last election, winning 133 and losing 40. Congress is requesting that DMK allocate 15 of those 40 lost seats to them, but DMK is not amenable to this request.

Key Participants in the Meeting

Tamil Nadu Congress President K. Selva Perunthagai has stated that a four-member team will represent the party, including himself, AICC in-charge Girish Chodankar, co-in-charge Nivedita Alva, and Congress Legislative Party leader Rajesh Kumar. On the other hand, the DMK delegation will be led by party treasurer T.R. Baalu, along with a committee of seven members appointed by Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin.

Significance of the Meeting

Sources indicate that Congress is demanding over 35 assembly seats along with two Rajya Sabha seats. Meanwhile, sources involved in the discussions have revealed that DMK has proposed to offer around 25 assembly seats and one Rajya Sabha seat, with the possibility of increasing this to 27 or 28 seats if necessary.