TN polls: Congress seeks 41 seats, DMK offers 25 + 1 Rajya Sabha

CHENNAI — Congress and DMK kicked off their seat-sharing talks at DMK headquarters, with Congress asking for 41 assembly seats and two Rajya Sabha seats. The DMK countered with 25 assembly seats, the same as 2021, and one Rajya Sabha seat. On the record, DMK signaled that power-sharing is off the table, signaling a focus on electoral arithmetic over formal alliances. The discussions were described as cordial, with both sides signaling a cautious approach as they navigate a high-stakes pre-election landscape.

The DMK panel, led by T R Baalu, stood firm on 25 seats after initially weighing the possibility of two additional seats. Congress negotiators, headed by AICC member Girish Chodankar, left the talks to consult Rahul Gandhi and said they would respond after taking stock of local considerations in the next two to three days.

In 2021, the Congress contested 25 seats within the DMK-led alliance and won 18, a spread dominated by southern and coastal districts. TNCC chief Selvaperunthgai reiterated that the alliance with DMK remains intact and that talks at this stage are strictly about seat-sharing, with discussions on local body polls not on the table.

Inside the Congress, there were voices urging a broader distribution, including a share of local body posts, a topic DMK indicated was not discussed in the present meeting. The Saturday session was described as very cordial, and both sides signaled readiness for another round soon, with a decision expected in the next two to three days.

Analysts say the talks reflect strategic calculus ahead of Tamil Nadu’s elections, a state long dominated by the DMK-Congress alignment. The outcome could influence how other parties gauge entry into the front, as observers watch whether the Congress will concede more seats or hold firm to its current demands.

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