In a crucial meeting held in Delhi on Saturday, the Tamil Nadu Congress leadership reaffirmed its commitment to continue the alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) ahead of the state assembly elections, even as internal differences over seat-sharing and coalition strategy surfaced. The deliberations, which lasted over four-and-a-half hours, brought together 42 leaders from the state, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi addressing the gathering at the outset.

Internal Divisions and the Debate over Alliances

The meeting highlighted the differing perspectives within the state Congress leadership. Some members favored leaving the DMK alliance to join actor Vijay’s newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), believing it could give the party a fresh electoral edge. Another faction pushed for demanding a higher number of assembly seats and a larger share of power within the coalition framework, while yet another group advocated maintaining the status quo to protect the alliance’s stability.

Kharge, addressing the divisions, stressed that such public disagreements should have been avoided. He made it clear that the high command would take decisions on alliance matters, emphasizing unity and discipline within the party ranks. According to sources present at the meeting, Kharge underscored that “this is not the time to break alliances; the Congress must focus on a winning coalition to ensure electoral success.”

Seat-Sharing Considerations

The Congress’s demand for a larger seat share forms a significant part of the discussion. In the 2021 assembly elections, the DMK had allotted 25 seats to its main ally, of which Congress won 18. Party leaders argue that the upcoming elections provide an opportunity to negotiate for more seats to enhance their representation both in the assembly and at the national level.

“If we are allotted 40 seats this time and manage to win 35, the Congress can claim the authority to select its own leader for Rajya Sabha elections from Tamil Nadu every two years, without relying solely on coalition decisions,” explained one senior state leader. This sentiment reflects the party’s strategic aim to expand its influence within the alliance while avoiding fragmentation of votes, particularly in the context of the opposition AIADMK-BJP combine.

Addressing Public Disagreements

The meeting also addressed concerns over differing public statements by Congress leaders regarding the DMK alliance. A particular point of discussion was the controversial tweet by Praveen Chakravarthy, the party’s data wing chief, posted on December 28, 2025, which unfavorably compared Tamil Nadu’s debt levels with those of BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh. The tweet had previously drawn criticism from former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, highlighting the need for unified messaging on sensitive political matters.

Sources said the high command instructed all state leaders to refrain from making public statements on alliance matters to prevent confusion and maintain a cohesive strategy ahead of the polls. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) chief K. Selvaperunthagai reiterated this directive, assuring that the party would adhere strictly to the high command’s guidance. “They’ve told us with a lot of concern that we shouldn’t tweet, release statements on the alliance. TNCC will uphold whatever AICC decides,” Selvaperunthagai said.

Strategic Importance of the DMK Alliance

The DMK-Congress alliance has historically been a critical factor in Tamil Nadu politics. The coalition has ensured a consolidated anti-AIADMK front in previous elections, allowing both parties to maximize their vote share in constituencies where fragmented opposition could have otherwise benefited the ruling party. Maintaining the alliance is seen as strategically essential not only for the immediate assembly elections but also with an eye toward broader national considerations, including the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

A senior state leader pointed out, “Most of the demand was to ask the DMK to accommodate more representation from the Congress and keep the alliance intact. There are only a handful of leaders who want to go to TVK, but that will only split votes and give an advantage to the AIADMK-BJP combine.” This highlights the pragmatic approach adopted by the party, balancing the need for electoral leverage with coalition stability.

Pre-Poll Negotiations

Ahead of the formal decision, a five-member team from the Congress met with DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on December 3, 2025, to discuss the seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming elections. While details of the discussions remain confidential, party insiders say that the talks focused on ensuring proportional representation for Congress while safeguarding the coalition’s broader interests.

Looking Ahead

As Tamil Nadu gears up for its assembly elections, the reaffirmation of the DMK-Congress alliance signals a commitment to continuity and coalition strategy, even as internal debates over seat-sharing and political positioning continue. The Congress aims to strengthen its bargaining power within the alliance to secure a meaningful role in both state governance and national representation, particularly in the Rajya Sabha.

Political analysts note that the decision to maintain the alliance, rather than explore alternative partnerships like the TVK, reflects an acknowledgment of the electoral realities in the state. Fragmentation among opposition parties could play into the hands of the AIADMK-BJP combine, making a unified front more crucial than ever.

By prioritizing alliance integrity while negotiating for an increased seat share, the Congress hopes to project unity, leverage its historical support base, and influence key policy decisions within the DMK-led coalition. With the assembly elections approaching, how effectively the party balances these internal and external pressures may prove decisive in shaping the state’s political landscape.

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