The political situation in Tamil Nadu intensifies before the Assembly elections in 2026, with the DMK incumbent demanding hard conditions in regard to entering into an alliance with Congress. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam demands disciplinary action against congress MP Manickam Tagore and party strategist Praveen Chakravarty because of their statements on the controversial matter. The result of this stand off is a postponement of seat sharing talks which is a challenge to the integrity of the INDIA bloc in the southern state.
Congress Leaders Stir up Controversy.
The situation was fanned by Congress MP Manickam Tagore who insisted that the DMK-led coalition should grant him not only seats but also power. Talking through the current seat discussions, Tagore opined that the workers of the grassroots required actual governance positions, and not electoral relatively. In January 2026, he said that Congress was dissatisfied with its state of being a junior partner, having only 17 MLAs in the 234-seat Assembly.
Praveen Chakravarty was further fueling it by befriending Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay. Comparisons of Tamil Nadu debt with Uttar Pradesh were made by AICC given by the AICC functional in December 2025 and alludes to rethinking of alliance. DMK chiefs branded this divisive and Chakravarty as serving personal interests, even trying to contest DMK an earlier bid of Chennai seat.
These tantrums coincide with the efforts of Congress to get 38-40 seats, increasing on 25 in 2021, and DMK providing some 32. Tagore and Karti Chidambaram openly criticized DMK on its footfulness in constituting a seat sharing panel, and demanded it be done immediately before the probable April 2026 polls.
The Firm Stance adopted by DMK concerning Alliance Discipline.
dmk headquarters Anna Arivalayam regards remarks of Tagore and chakravarty as an intentional confusion-mongering among the cadres. Their spokespersons belonging to their party alleged that they were weakening the leadership of Chief Minister MK Stalin even as official negotiations were about to begin. The insiders indicate that DMK will not indulge until Congress reels in these leaders and is willing to consider harmony in the coalition, rather than bringing it together in a hurryy deal.
This precondition is a reflection of past frictions. DMK also gave Congress 10 seats in 2024 Lok Sabha polls but rejected power-sharing requests after winning. The government of Stalin claims that the position of ministers makes efficiency weak and the post invites contentions. Now, as Congress looks at six posts in the cabinet, DMK is holding its ground indicating that it would not give in easily without holding anyone to account.
On February 22, 2026, DMK declared its seat sharing committee after the Assembly session, but with clarifications made by Congress. As one DMK senior official commented: Disruptive voices will be dealt with; productive talks will ensue; otherwise alliances will be diluted. This action puts the high command of Congress including Rahul Gandhi on a motivated move to act.
Timeline and Stakes of Seat-Sharing Talks.
To jumpstart the talks, Congress appointed a panel of five members led by Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar in November 2025. It was welcomeed with great rejoicing by P Chidambaram, who declared the termination of an unwarranted rumour-mongering against the TVK alliance. However, there are still delays as Congress is willing but DMK has preconditions.
The partnership won 2024 Lok Sabha seats- DMK 22, congress 9 but Assembly politics is different. DMK seeks to keep 133+ seats of 2021, foaming off the resurgence of AIADMK and TVK under Edappadi Palaniswami. Congress feels like being pushed to the margins when it is at low teens forcing it to bargain aggressively.
Negotiations may end in March with seats being distributed in 39 districts. Significant battlegrounds: western belts ( Tagore turf ), Chennai (urban vote) and southern pockets. Any failure will lead to Congress exploring TVK or running solo, which will divide the opposition against the BJP, as it increases its presence.
Farreaching Implication on Tamil Nadu Politics.
This stalemate brings faults in alliance in Dravidian heartland. The national pull provided by the Congress benefits anti-BJP fronts whereas DMK is empowered by its dominance in the Lok Sabha 39/39 in 2024. The inflexible power pitch by Tagore appeals to the frustrations of the state units, which are compounded by the insults of Karti Chidambaram.
TVK by Vijay is a giant that has attracted youth and anti-incumbency with a poll of 10 percent in 2024 proxies. Chakravarty is fostering rumour of a Congress-TVK turnaround, but high command would like to see DMK persistence. BJP looks after cracks, supports splintered NDA allies.
To the voters, delays entail the increased uncertainty. Problems such as NEET backlash, Cauvery wrangles and debt (over 8 lakh crore) prevail. DMK agitates on welfare schemes; Congress wants share of credit. The solution will depend on Congress punishing Tagore-Chakravarty duo.
Path Forward Amid Tensions
Congress has to juggle between the state ambitions and national alliances. Kharge preliminarily convened with Stalin on a panel but no action was taken on the matter. Tagore made it clear that there is no way to avoid alliance politics, but DMK requires the general retract.
Stalin, who is looking into the third term, will not give up. It can be closed with a compromise, 35 seats without power. Otherwise, 2026 takes the form of a multi-cornered: DMK+, NDA, TVK independents. As polls approach, time runs out in the reconciliation.
The southern power depends on 234 seats in Tamil Nadu. The precondition tests of Congress loyalty by DMK gives high stakes drama up to the final whistle.
