With the Tamil Nadu assembly elections just four months away, political parties are deep into the crucial phase of forging alliances. The ruling DMK-led front appears stable, though occasional murmurs of discontent emerge from its long-time partner, the Congress. In contrast, the opposition camp, led by the AIADMK and the BJP as the only confirmed members of the NDA for now, seems to be in a state of disarray.
Seat-Sharing Talks and Political Posturing
After initial subdued demands, the Congress party is now gearing up to formally request a larger share of assembly seats, aiming for at least 40 constituencies. While senior leaders from both sides publicly maintain that negotiations will be amicable, a recent development has injected uncertainty. Praveen Chakravarthy, an All India Congress Committee (AICC) functionary who heads the party's data analytics wing and the All India Professionals’ Congress, met with TVK president Vijay on December 5.
This meeting has sparked intense conjecture, with no clear signal from the Congress leadership to dismiss the rumours it generated. It remains unclear whether Praveen acted on his own initiative or was deputed by the party's high command. Many political observers view this as a strategic move, a form of virtual posturing to strengthen the Congress's bargaining position at the negotiating table.
A Long-Standing Yet Complex Partnership
The DMK-Congress alliance is not a recent phenomenon. Its roots trace back to 1971 for the fifth legislative assembly election, resulting in a massive victory for the DMK-led Progressive Front. The partnership has endured for close to two decades since 2004, surviving a brief rupture between 2013 and 2016 over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue. Since reuniting, they have contested four assembly elections together in 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021.
Senior leaders from both parties emphasize the alliance's mutual benefits and strength. DMK spokesman T K S Elangovan affirmed their unity, stating, "We are together in Parliament and in the state." He noted that the Congress has already formed a poll committee to discuss seat-sharing, indicating serious intent. Echoing this sentiment, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai highlighted the importance of a united opposition for a balanced democracy, citing the INDIA Bloc's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it won over 230 seats.
Internal Dynamics and Future Prospects
Despite the public show of unity, seat negotiations are expected to be tense. The meeting between Praveen Chakravarthy and Vijay followed other key interactions. On December 3, a five-member Congress committee led by AICC member Girish Chodankar met Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to initiate talks. This meeting was reportedly held at the DMK's insistence. Earlier, on November 18, Stalin's son-in-law Sabarisan Vedamurthy met Rahul Gandhi in Delhi to reinforce the alliance.
Some Congress leaders suggest that the Delhi leadership remains firmly committed to the DMK tie-up, and Praveen's actions may be driven by personal ambition. There is speculation that the DMK is opposed to Praveen contesting from a Chennai seat in the assembly election, just as it reportedly prevented the Congress from fielding him in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Ultimately, senior DMK and Congress functionaries believe the alliance will withstand these pressures, bound together by the common goal of countering the BJP. They point to the growing rapport between Rahul Gandhi and M.K. Stalin as a significant "winning" factor. While the road to 2026 may have bumps, the prevailing sentiment is that this decades-old political combination is likely to continue, forged in the heat of electoral battles and a shared history.
