Source The Hindu
The alliance between the DMK and the Congress is currently facing a significant rough patch as the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approach. The DMK has reportedly set a firm condition: they will not initiate seat-sharing talks until the Congress takes disciplinary action against Manickam Tagore (Virudhunagar MP) and Praveen Chakravarty (AICC Professionals’ Congress Chairman).
Here is a breakdown of why this conflict has reached a boiling point:
The Friction Points
The DMK leadership is reportedly “upset” with what they perceive as a series of hostile actions and statements from these two leaders:
Manickam Tagore’s Comments: Tagore recently remarked that the Congress had “shared the burden of the DMK’s mistakes” in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, referring to corruption allegations that hurt the UPA. He has also been vocal about demanding a power-sharing arrangement (ministerial berths) and a specific number of seats in the Madurai region.
Praveen Chakravarty’s Critique: Chakravarty questioned the “winnability” of the alliance despite the DMK government’s welfare schemes (like the Magalir Urimai Thogai). He has also publicly pushed for a coalition government, challenging Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s stance that a single-party government is the convention in Tamil Nadu.
The “Power-Sharing” Debate: While Stalin has explicitly ruled out sharing power with allies, Tagore and Chakravarty have continued to push for it on social media and in public forums, which the DMK views as a “calculated conspiracy” to create instability.
Current Status of Alliance Talks
Issue Congress Demand (via Tagore/Chakravarty) DMK Response
Power-Sharing Demand for cabinet berths and a coalition government. CM M.K. Stalin has explicitly ruled out power-sharing.
Seat Count Pushing for 70 seats or more (up from 25 in 2021). DMK plans to stick to the 2021 formula to accommodate new allies like DMDK.
Local Rivalry Demand for the Madurai North seat (currently held by DMK). DMK district secretaries have told Congress they are “free to leave” if unhappy.
Current Status
Congress Leadership: TNCC President K. Selvaperunthagai has tried to de-escalate, calling the friction “speculation” and noting that a five-member committee has already been formed to handle talks.
The Deadline: A formal seat-sharing committee is expected to be announced by the DMK around February 22, 2026, but this remains contingent on whether the “Tagore-Chakravarty issue” is resolved.
The “Vijay” Factor: The DMK’s firm stance is also seen as a message that they are not afraid of the Congress seeking an alternative alliance with actor Vijay’s newly formed TVK, which has been a looming threat in current political calculations.
