TN Congress Leaders to Discuss Alliance Strategy with Rahul Gandhi in Delhi
Senior Tamil Nadu Congress leaders, including former and sitting MPs and MLAs, will travel to New Delhi on Saturday. They are attending a meeting convened by party leader Rahul Gandhi to discuss alliance strategy ahead of the 2026 Assembly election.
Key Figures and Internal Debates
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge will also be present at the meeting. The gathering aims to finalize the party's assembly election strategy for Tamil Nadu. This meeting occurs as TN Congress functionaries express different viewpoints on the party's electoral tie-up with DMK.
One section of the party feels comfortable with the continuation of the existing alliance arrangement. Another section has been pitching for a power-sharing arrangement with DMK. The camp advocating for power-sharing has also been nudging for an alliance with actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazagham (TVK).
They hope that the actor-politician's fan base would assist them in Kerala, which also goes to polls this year.
Expected Discussions and DMK's Stance
Most leaders are expected to voice their support for continuing in the DMK alliance during the Saturday meeting. However, a small group critical of DMK and leaning towards TVK will likely place their demand for a power-sharing arrangement as a precondition for the DMK alliance.
DMK leaders have firmly rejected this demand. A highly placed DMK source stated, "There is no compromise at any cost. Except for Manickam Tagore, Rajesh Kumar and Praveen Chakravarty, everyone will favour us (DMK)."
Nevertheless, Congress leaders say the subject will be brought up during formal alliance talks with DMK. They argue that the current arrangement of remaining in alliance without sharing power does not help Congress grow in Tamil Nadu.
Congress Leaders' Perspectives
A TN Congress leader explained, "When something goes wrong then we are unable to criticise DMK as we are allies. This situation does not benefit Congress." Setting the tone for the meeting, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said in an X post on Friday that Congress never pursued 'lucrative' portfolios where the party shared power with allies.
Instead, he noted they would only seek ministries that offer scope for serving people better. Senior Congress leaders, however, downplayed the Saturday meeting. Congress general secretary in-charge (organisation) KC Venugopal simply said, "We are doing all state level meetings. Nothing else."
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai rejected speculation about parallel talks with TVK. He stated, "In the meeting, we will discuss election preparedness and finalise our plans." Congress in charge for TN, Girsh Chodankar, told TOI that Saturday's meeting will involve discussions on preparations and exchange of ideas.
On the issue of power-sharing, he said such matters will be discussed at the alliance committee meeting, which is yet to be scheduled.
Support for Power-Sharing and DMK Appreciation
Meanwhile, AICC general secretary Sachin Pilot backed the demand from a section of Congress leaders for power-sharing. He told reporters in Chennai, "Every political party wants representation. I think there is nothing wrong in the Congress cadre asking for measures so that they can help the people of Tamil Nadu."
He was responding to questions about the demand for a coalition government. Pilot also appreciated the DMK government, saying, "Whatever happens in the future, the BJP and NDA will never find a foothold in Tamil Nadu politics. I think the (state) govt did a good job."
