Despite high-level discussions between senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram and M.K. Stalin, the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) have yet to finalize a seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, lasted for around an hour. While both sides expressed a desire to strengthen their alliance, significant differences over the number of seats each party would contest remain unresolved.
Sources close to the negotiations said that the DMK has raised its offer from 25 to 27 Assembly seats, in addition to one Rajya Sabha seat. However, the Congress is reportedly demanding 30 Assembly seats along with a Rajya Sabha seat. This discrepancy in expectations has made it difficult for the parties to reach a common ground.
Political analysts suggest that these talks reflect the strategic importance both parties place on the upcoming elections. The Congress wants to secure a meaningful number of seats to maintain its influence in Tamil Nadu, while the DMK is focused on maximizing its electoral strength ahead of the state polls.
Observers note that while the relationship between the Congress and DMK is generally cooperative, seat-sharing negotiations have historically been challenging. Previous election cycles have shown that differences over the number of constituencies can become a sticking point, sometimes delaying alliance announcements until the last moment.
Party insiders indicate that further discussions may take place in the coming days, as both sides appear keen to avoid a split that could affect their electoral prospects. However, at present, no final agreement has been reached, leaving the possibility of alternative alliances or independent contests open.
With the state elections approaching, the outcome of these negotiations will be closely watched, as it could have a significant impact on the political landscape in Tamil Nadu. Both parties face pressure to balance electoral strategy with alliance politics, making the resolution of seat-sharing talks a delicate and critical task.