DMK–Congress Tensions Resurface Over Seat-Sharing, Power Role Ahead of Tamil Nadu Polls

Chennai, Feb 2026 : As the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections draw closer, strains within the ruling alliance have once again come to the fore, with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Indian National Congress locked in a renewed tussle over seat-sharing and participation in governance. The simmering discord now threatens to cast a shadow over the cohesion of the INDIA bloc in the state.

For nearly two months, differences have persisted, primarily centred on the Congress party’s demand for a clearly defined role in government should the alliance secure another term. While the Congress has been a consistent ally of the DMK, it has remained outside the corridors of power, a reality that party leaders now say is no longer acceptable.

An attempt to cool tempers was made on December 3, when a Congress delegation met Chief Minister and DMK president M. K. Stalin to discuss seat-sharing arrangements. The meeting appeared to ease tensions temporarily. However, the issue flared up again after a senior Congress observer publicly advocated a “coalition government” model for Tamil Nadu, a suggestion that was swiftly rejected by DMK leaders.

The delay in constituting a formal DMK committee to initiate alliance negotiations further aggravated Congress leaders. Sources indicate that during a January 25 meeting in Delhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi conveyed his displeasure to DMK Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi, stressing the need to begin talks early. He reportedly cautioned against a repeat of the Bihar Assembly election scenario, where delayed negotiations left Congress with limited leverage and poor electoral returns.

Responding to the growing unease, the DMK announced that formal discussions with alliance partners would begin on February 22. Despite this assurance, Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu have intensified public pressure, signalling that the underlying issues remain unresolved.

Senior Congress figures, including MPs Manickam Tagore and Jyothimani, former MP Viswanathan, and ex-TNCC president K.S. Alagiri, have openly demanded a share in governance. They argue that the party’s unwavering support for the DMK in successive elections must now translate into power-sharing, not just symbolic representation.

Strong rebuttals from DMK Ministers Raghupathi and Rajakannappan have further deepened resentment at the cadre level. Even after Stalin stated on February 11 that “sharing power is not part of Tamil Nadu’s political culture,” the debate has refused to die down. Leaders from both parties have continued to trade sharp remarks on social media, exposing the growing unease within the alliance.

Congress leaders maintain that despite playing a crucial role in alliance victories, the party has not been part of the ruling structure in Tamil Nadu since 1967. They point to past elections—1984, 1991, and 2006—when Congress secured substantial seat tallies but remained outside government. In the 2021 Assembly elections, while the DMK won 133 of the 173 seats it contested, Congress achieved 18 victories out of 25 seats, registering a comparatively higher strike rate.

According to sources, Congress is now seeking up to 45 seats in the upcoming polls and greater opportunities for young leaders. There is also concern within the party that prolonged dissatisfaction could push grassroots workers towards alternative political formations, including actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

The DMK, meanwhile, is believed to be following a calculated strategy by finalising seat allocations with smaller allies first, potentially limiting Congress’s bargaining power and nudging it toward a late-stage compromise.

With the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam expected to release its first list of candidates on February 24 and campaign activity gathering pace, the stakes are rising rapidly. For both the DMK and the Congress, the negotiations are no longer just about numbers, but about influence, status, and their long-term future within the alliance.