In Shorts
• DMK finalizes election alliance with Congress for Tamil Nadu polls.
• Congress to contest 28 assembly seats as part of the deal.
• One Rajya Sabha seat allotted to Congress under the agreement.
CHENNAI In a major political development on March 4, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress formally agreed on a seat-sharing arrangement for the forthcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The pact confirms that the Congress will field candidates in 28 assembly constituencies, marking a significant share in the DMK-led coalition.
The agreement was officially signed at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam in Chennai, with party leaders from both sides present. The two parties also agreed that Congress will receive one seat in the Rajya Sabha election, solidifying its legislative representation in the Upper House.
DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin led the discussions from the ruling party’s side, while K. Selvaperunthagai, president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, represented the Congress. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the outcome, describing the pact as a step toward maintaining unity within the alliance and enhancing their competitive edge in the state polls.
The seat-sharing talks had seen rounds of negotiation in recent weeks, with discussions covering the balance of power between the two parties. Both sides eventually settled on the 28-seat distribution after deliberations, placing emphasis on presenting a consolidated front to voters.
Political analysts say the agreement not only ends weeks of uncertainty but also reaffirms the longstanding alliance between the DMK and Congress in Tamil Nadu politics, a partnership that has played a notable role in previous electoral cycles.
With the seat-sharing finalised, both parties are now gearing up for campaigning across constituencies, with an eye on strengthening their position against rival alliances in the state.
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