New Delhi, Feb 10 (.) The Congress high command on Tuesday held crucial consultations with the top leadership of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) amid growing unease within the party over seat-sharing and power-sharing arrangements with its senior ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
‎According to party sources TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai and several district-level leaders met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi and other members of the All India Congress Committee to flag what they described as the DMK’s “dithering attitude” on initiating formal alliance talks. The constituencies that the DMK offer are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the Congress’s approach to the alliance going forward.
‎“The leadership has conveyed the strong sentiment among cadres that the Congress must negotiate from a position of strength this time,” a senior Congress functionary familiar with the discussions said. “There is frustration over the delay in seat-sharing talks and the absence of clarity on the Congress’s role in governance,” he said.
‎At the heart of the tension is the Congress’s renewed demand for a “share in power” in Tamil Nadu, including cabinet berths, should the DMK-led alliance return to office. While the Congress contested 25 seats in the 2021 Assembly election, party leaders are now pressing for a substantially higher number, with internal assessments identifying around 70 constituencies where the party believes it has a realistic chance.
‎However, the DMK has not yet constituted its own committee to negotiate seat-sharing, a delay that has deepened discontent within the Congress. Sources in the ruling party indicate that the DMK is reluctant to concede both additional seats and cabinet positions, preferring to maintain the existing balance within the alliance.
‎“The DMK’s position appears to be that the current arrangement worked well in 2021 and should not be disturbed,” a Congress leader said, adding that there were concerns the DMK could adopt a “take it or leave it” approach during negotiations.
‎DMK leaders, meanwhile, have sought to play down the differences, stating that alliance talks would begin “when the time is right.” Traditionally, seat-sharing discussions in Tamil Nadu gather pace closer to the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, and the party is keen to wrap up negotiations ahead of its state-wide conference scheduled for March.
‎“We will hold discussions with our allies at the appropriate time, as we have always done,” a senior DMK leader had said. “There is no need for unnecessary speculation now.”
‎Adding to the complexity is the DMK’s outreach to other potential partners, including the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), which Congress leaders fear could limit their bargaining space.
‎In a bid to prevent public escalation of the issue, the Congress high command has issued a strict “gag order” to its Tamil Nadu leaders, directing them not to make statements or social media posts about the alliance or the DMK. “The message is clear: all concerns must be addressed internally,” another party source said.
‎The Delhi visit also includes a training camp for 74 newly appointed district Congress presidents, aimed at strengthening the party’s organisational base and improving booth-level preparedness ahead of the 2026 polls.
‎The Congress leadership is expected to take a final call on the contours of the electoral pact after assessing feedback from the ongoing meetings. “The challenge before the party is to strike a balance between asserting its political relevance in Tamil Nadu and recognising the compulsions of alliance politics,” a senior AICC leader said. . SKA SAS KK