Congress leadership convened a crucial meeting with senior party members from Tamil Nadu in New Delhi on Saturday. The gathering aimed to develop a clear strategy for the upcoming state assembly elections. Party cadres have been vocal about their desire for a formal understanding with the DMK, a key alliance partner.
High-Level Discussions at Party Headquarters
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge chaired the high-level meeting at the party's Indira Bhawan headquarters. Former party chief Rahul Gandhi actively participated in the discussions. AICC General Secretary in-charge of organisation, K C Venugopal, also attended the session.
Tamil Nadu Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai joined the meeting alongside several prominent MPs. The list included P Chidambaram, Manickam Tagore, Karti Chidambaram, Jyothimani, and V Vasanth. Professionals' Congress chief Praveen Chakravarty was among other notable attendees.
Growing Demand for Power-Sharing Agreement
The meeting occurred against a backdrop of increasing calls from the Tamil Nadu Congress unit. Many members are pushing for a guaranteed share in governance if the DMK-led alliance secures victory in the assembly election. The polls are scheduled to take place by March or April of next year.
MP Manickam Tagore recently emphasized the need to openly debate the "share in power" issue. Congress Legislative Party leader and Killiyoor legislator S Rajeshkumar has also publicly advocated for a coalition government model in the state.
Girish Chodankar, Congress in-charge for Tamil Nadu, made a pointed remark on the matter. He stated that any political party claiming it does not desire power should essentially consider itself a non-governmental organization.
DMK's Firm Stance Against Coalition Government
Senior DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Minister I Periyasamy delivered a clear message this week. He firmly ruled out any possibility of forming a coalition government with alliance partners. Periyasamy asserted that Chief Minister M K Stalin maintains a strong stand against sharing ministerial offices with allies.
This position creates a significant point of contention as Congress members seek a more substantial role in administration beyond just electoral support.
Speculation and Historical Context
Political circles have been buzzing with speculation about potential new alliances. Some observers suggested Congress might explore a partnership with the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay. However, leaders from the Congress state unit have denied such possibilities, calling the rumors unfounded.
The current dynamics have deep historical roots in Tamil Nadu politics. Since 1967, both the DMK and the AIADMK have consistently formed governments independently, even when contesting elections in alliance with other parties.
Looking further back, after Independence, the first general election in the composite Madras state occurred in 1952. During that election, Congress failed to achieve an absolute majority, a historical fact that informs current strategic thinking.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot addressed the issue on Friday. He defended the demand for a share in power, stating that every political party naturally aspires to play a meaningful role in governance and administration.
