DMK Congress Seat-Sharing Talks In Tamil Nadu: Central Leadership To Decide

A meeting in Delhi between Rahul Gandhi and DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi stayed cordial, but ended without any concrete deal on seat-sharing or power-sharing. Party insiders say both sides restated their positions, while trying to keep the DMK–Congress alliance intact before key Tamil Nadu polls.

According to Congress sources, Rahul Gandhi told Kanimozhi that Congress would avoid raising demands that could upset the long relationship with DMK. This assurance came after some Tamil Nadu Congress leaders publicly sought a role in government, creating unease within the wider DMK-led Secular Democratic Alliance.

DMK-Congress alliance seat-sharing talks and internal demands

On 17 January, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal met Tamil Nadu Congress leaders in Delhi. Many state leaders pressed for a share in power if the alliance won again. The central leadership listened to these views but also stressed party discipline.

After that meeting, the high command held individual discussions with nearly 40 leaders from Tamil Nadu. During a later joint session, TNCC functionaries were instructed not to post comments on the alliance on social media. They were warned that public statements risked adding confusion to already delicate DMK–Congress talks.

DMK-Congress alliance power-sharing concerns in Tamil Nadu

Senior leaders told Tamil Nadu Congress cadres that “decisions on the alliance, seat allocation, and power-sharing would be taken by the high command.” This message underlined that only the central leadership would decide on any deal with DMK, including posts or ministries, and not state-level figures.

For DMK, sharing power with allies stays a red line. The party follows a long-held policy of not giving cabinet posts to partners in government. DMK leaders fear that conceding power-sharing to Congress would trigger similar demands from other allies, weakening DMK’s control before crucial elections.

DMK circles had expected the Delhi outreach to close the issue and produce a clear public signal. The party wanted Congress to openly confirm its place in the DMK-led alliance. Instead, Venugopal told reporters that the high command would take an “appropriate decision on election strategy in due course.”

DMK-Congress alliance seat-sharing numbers and negotiation teams

Amid these tensions, sources say Rahul Gandhi proposed forming committees from both parties to negotiate seat-sharing. Under this plan, the exact number of Assembly seats would be thrashed out in formal talks. DMK leaders also raised misgivings about AICC In-Charge for Tamil Nadu, Girish Chodankar, during the interaction.

To address those concerns, Congress is likely to ask Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik to join Chodankar in future meetings with DMK. At the same time, top Congress sources say some leaders still want an alliance with TVK. However, the central leadership is currently more focused on pushing DMK for a better seat deal.

Congress negotiators are seeking 41–45 Assembly constituencies, and may finally accept around 38. DMK, which gave Congress 25 seats in 2021, is prepared to raise the offer only to 28–30 at this stage.

For now, both DMK and Congress keep channels open while holding firm on core issues. Power-sharing remains off the table for DMK, even as Congress aims for more seats. The eventual decision from the Congress high command will shape the balance inside the Tamil Nadu alliance.