The Congress party in Tamil Nadu is actively pursuing a two-pronged strategy in its ongoing negotiations with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) ahead of the crucial 2026 state assembly elections. While publicly forming a formal negotiation committee, the party is privately pushing for a significantly larger share of seats and a concrete role in power-sharing, should the alliance secure victory.
Congress's Ambitious Seat Demand and Power-Sharing Stance
All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Tamil Nadu, Girish Chodankar, who also heads the party's seat-sharing committee, has been vocal about the party's aspirations. Congress sources reveal that Chodankar has privately communicated to Chief Minister M K Stalin the party's desire to contest around 70 seats in the 2026 election. This marks a dramatic increase from the 25 seats the party contested in the 2021 assembly polls.
Chodankar publicly articulated the rationale behind this demand, linking it directly to the implementation of party promises. He stated that elections require comprehensive strategies, including a full-fledged manifesto and a vision for Tamil Nadu. "To fulfil promises in our manifesto and the vision for Tamil Nadu, naturally, we must be a part of the government," Chodankar told a news agency. This stance was notably endorsed by AICC functionary Praveen Chakravarty, a close associate of Rahul Gandhi, who retweeted Chodankar's statement, adding it was significant "for the first time in six decades."
Negotiations and Internal Pressure
The Congress initiated formal alliance talks with the DMK in early December by constituting a five-member negotiation committee. This move reportedly came after a DMK emissary met Congress leaders in Delhi. The committee has urged DMK president M K Stalin to finalize the alliance agreement by December 15. However, the perceived delay from the DMK leadership has caused unease within a section of the Congress, which argues that the party needs ample time for candidate selection and campaign preparation.
A senior Congress leader pointed to past experiences, citing the negative impact of delayed ticket distribution after Rahul Gandhi's extensive campaign in Bihar. "Here, DMK is still not coming forward," the leader remarked, highlighting the urgency felt within the party camp.
Karnataka Precedent and Strategic Moves
Congress leaders are bolstering their demand for a share in governance by pointing to the party's successful implementation of guarantees in Karnataka. The example of the Rs 2,000 monthly assistance scheme for women heads of families, one of the five guarantees promised and delivered after forming the government, is being cited as a model. The party argues that being in power is essential to effectively execute such welfare promises.
Adding another layer to the political dynamics, Praveen Chakravarty's reported meetings with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay in Chennai at least twice have sparked speculation, though the Congress's primary focus remains on solidifying its pact with the DMK. The ongoing negotiations will be critical in shaping the opposition front against the AIADMK-BJP combine for the 2026 electoral battle.
