Election season in Tamil Nadu always gets my adrenaline pumping, reminding me of those heated family debates over politics during festivals. As we approach the 2026 Assembly polls, the DMK-Congress alliance is hitting rough patches over seat-sharing, with Congress initially eyeing 40 seats to stay relevant but dialing back to 38 after DMK's stingy 32-seat proposal. It's like bargaining at a Chennai market—everyone wants the best deal. On January 6, 2026, reports highlight Tamil Nadu Congress chiefs pitching a tie-up with Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to Rahul Gandhi, seeing it as a fresh breath amid the stalemate. TVK's outreach, calling Congress a "natural ally," fuels this buzz, especially with Congress MP Manickam Tagore demanding not just seats but government shares if they win.
I believe this could be a game-changer; Vijay's star power might inject youth energy, much like how actor-politicians have shaken up TN politics before. TVK's Felix Gerald points to Vijay and Rahul's friendship as a strong link, though he warns of delays from Congress internals. Meanwhile, Nirmal Kumar says decisions await Vijay's consultations, with two months to go. In my view, this maneuvering shows Congress flexing muscles against DMK dominance, driven by worker pressures. Will it lead to a new coalition or patch-up? Either way, it's reshaping TN's landscape—exciting times for political junkies like me.
TL;DR
- Congress internally targets 40 seats in the DMK alliance for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections to ensure its political relevance and project strength in the state legislature.
- DMK offers only 32 seats to Congress, leading to ongoing negotiations as part of power-sharing talks within the broader coalition strategy ahead of the polls.
- Congress has lowered its seat demand from 40 to 38 in response to DMK's offer, reflecting a compromise in the renewed push for a stronger position in the alliance.
- Tamil Nadu Congress leadership is weighing a potential alliance with Vijay's TVK and has reached out to Rahul Gandhi to discuss this option amid alliance uncertainties.
- Congress MP Manickam Tagore stated that the party seeks not just seats but a share in government if the DMK-led coalition wins the 2026 elections.
- Tagore's power-sharing remarks follow TVK's outreach, where the party called Congress a "natural ally," sparking speculation about new political alignments in Tamil Nadu.
- TVK spokesperson Felix Gerald noted the friendship between Vijay and Rahul Gandhi, claiming a high possibility of alliance but warning of delays from Congress internal interests.
- TVK leader Nirmal Kumar emphasized that alliance decisions will be made after consultations by chief Vijay, with actions to follow, given two months left before elections.
- The seat negotiations are seen as a larger strategy by Congress to renegotiate its role in the DMK alliance, driven by pressure from party workers.
- Overall, these talks highlight evolving equations in Tamil Nadu politics, with Congress balancing its DMK ties against potential new partnerships like TVK for electoral gains.
