Congress leader Mohan Kumaramangalam has triggered political discussion over the I.N.D.I alliance framework in Tamil Nadu after posting remarks on social media while quoting a video of Congress MP Karti Chidambaram speaking about alliance talks with the DMK.
Sharing Karti Chidambaram’s video clip, Kumaramangalam commented on how the I.N.D.I. bloc was being framed in the context of upcoming state elections.
“INDIA alliance is a formation for parliamentary elections. I haven’t heard the DMK chief or anybody in the upper echelons of his party refer to this election as INDIA vs NDA. Even in the recent Bihar elections, nobody said it was INDIA vs NDA. In fact the phrasing used was Mahagathbandan vs NDA. I can’t fathom why anybody would use this phrasing for a state election.”
INDIA alliance is a formation for parliamentary elections. I haven’t heard the DMK chief or anybody in the upper echelons of his party refer to this election as INDIA vs NDA. Even in the recent bihar elections, nobody said it was INDIA vs NDA. In fact the phrasing used was… https://t.co/TNSEPQPfYe
— Mohan மோகன் Kumaramangalam (@MKumaramangalam) February 8, 2026
His remarks quickly drew attention online, with some social media users interpreting them as a signal that the Congress might be reconsidering its alliance positioning with the DMK in the Assembly polls.
One netizen sought clarification, asking whether his comments implied that the Congress was not inclined toward continuing the alliance.
Responding to this, Kumaramangalam clarified, “I never said that. Whether we are in an alliance or not is something for the leadership of Congress to determine.”
I never said that. Whether we are in an alliance or not is something for the leadership of congress to determine.
— Mohan மோகன் Kumaramangalam (@MKumaramangalam) February 8, 2026
On Friday, 6 February 2026, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, in a press meet, said the DMK had yet to constitute a committee for alliance talks despite preliminary discussions. He noted that while the Congress had already formed a five-member panel, negotiations could begin only after the DMK set up its team.
Downplaying public barbs between party functionaries, he said leadership-level talks would decide seat sharing. Chidambaram asserted that both parties recognised the need to remain together electorally. He described the Congress as a “value-addition” and “multiplier” force in alliances, providing a secular stamp, while adding that fan enthusiasm around new entrants like TVK may not automatically translate into seats.
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