High-level negotiations between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Indian National Congress over a pre-poll alliance for the forthcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections have reached a stalemate, following the Congress’ insistence on power-sharing arrangements and a substantially higher seat allocation.
Sources familiar with the talks said the impasse deepened after the Congress pressed for a share in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet in the event of an electoral victory, sought an allocation of 41 Assembly seats, and demanded two Rajya Sabha nominations. The DMK, however, has categorically rejected any proposal involving power-sharing in Tamil Nadu.
Kanimozhi Meets Congress Leadership in Delhi
In an attempt to arrest the growing friction, DMK MP and Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi met senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, at their residence in New Delhi.
During the meeting, Kanimozhi is learnt to have conveyed the DMK leadership’s firm position that the party would not be in a position to allot more than 27 Assembly seats to the Congress. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the Congress had contested 25 seats as part of the DMK-led alliance and won 18.
She is also said to have ruled out the Congress’ demand for a share in the Tamil Nadu government, making it clear that the DMK would continue to head the government independently if the alliance were to retain power.
DMK Offers Rajya Sabha Seat, Puducherry CM Post
While rejecting the demand for Cabinet berths in Tamil Nadu, the DMK reportedly offered the Congress a Rajya Sabha nomination and the Chief Minister’s post in Puducherry, which is also due to go to polls alongside Tamil Nadu.
Congress leaders, however, conveyed that they were keen on expanding the party’s organisational base and political visibility in Tamil Nadu, and therefore wanted a larger number of constituencies to contest. They also reiterated their position that a share in power was essential to rebuild the party in the State.
Kanimozhi is said to have assured the Congress leadership that their demands would be conveyed to the DMK high command, which would respond after internal consultations.
Social Media Escalation and Madurai North Flashpoint
Despite the high-level talks, tensions continued to play out publicly, particularly on social media. Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore shared posts reiterating the Congress’ claim over the Madurai North Assembly constituency, including photographs of wall posters declaring that the Congress would field a candidate there.
The demand for Madurai North, a seat currently held by DMK MLA K Thalapathi, had earlier triggered a sharp backlash from the DMK, with party leaders pointing out that several Congress MPs had secured their electoral victories only with the backing of the DMK’s organisational machinery.
Veiled TVK Overtures Add Pressure
The situation was further complicated by statements from senior Congress functionaries, including Professionals’ Congress chairman Praveen Chakravarty, which were widely interpreted as a veiled signal that the party was open to exploring an alternative alliance with the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).
While a section of Congress leaders, including Chakravarty and AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar, are believed to favour keeping the TVK option open, several senior leaders in the State unit have reportedly argued in favour of continuing say the DMK alliance, citing electoral arithmetic and stability.
DMK sources, meanwhile, expressed strong reservations about Chodankar’s public statements over the past few months, describing them as brusque and counterproductive. Party insiders noted that it was Chodankar’s initial public demand for a significantly higher number of seats — based on claims of rising Congress popularity — that first opened the current rift.
Rahul Gandhi’s Conditions Reportedly Rejected
According to sources briefed on the Delhi discussions, Rahul Gandhi conveyed that the Congress leadership was seeking 41 seats, two Rajya Sabha positions, and a share in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet as part of any renewed alliance arrangement.
Kanimozhi reportedly informed him that the DMK leadership had unequivocally rejected the demand for power-sharing in Tamil Nadu, reiterating that ministerial positions in the State were non-negotiable.
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Alliance Dangling In The Air, High Command to Decide
With neither side willing to concede ground on the key issues of seat-sharing and power participation, the alliance remains in a delicate balance. The DMK has made it clear that it cannot accede to the Congress’ demands, while the Congress leadership is yet to formally communicate its final decision.
Party sources indicated that while negotiations would continue, the ultimate call would rest with the Congress high command. Both parties are conscious that a prolonged public standoff could weaken their bargaining positions, particularly with the TVK also awaiting clarity on potential realignments.
For now, despite reassurances from Congress leaders that the DMK alliance remains their preferred option, the lack of a concrete agreement has left the future of the coalition uncertain, with the clock ticking toward the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Source: OneIndia Tamil
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