With the Tamil Nadu Assembly election schedule expected soon, political activity in the state has heightened, especially regarding seat-sharing talks within major alliances.
Discussions are ongoing in the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) to finalize the allocation of constituencies among partners. The Congress party, which contested 25 seats in the last Assembly election as part of the alliance, is now reportedly aiming for more than 30 seats this time.
The alliance landscape is evolving with the inclusion of parties like the DMDK and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) in the broader opposition space, adding complexity to negotiations. Sources suggest that the DMK leadership has advised alliance partners to be prepared for adjustments in seat allocation to accommodate new entrants and balance electoral equations.
Congress leaders are pushing for a larger share, citing the party’s organizational base and performance in specific constituencies as justification for a higher number of seats. In the 2021 Assembly election, the Congress contested 25 constituencies under the DMK banner and made a modest but notable presence in the Assembly.
The Congress has also reportedly requested one Rajya Sabha seat from the alliance’s expected tally in the upcoming Upper House elections. The DMK-led alliance is positioned to secure up to four Rajya Sabha seats, with the Congress expressing interest in being allocated one of them.
Furthermore, Congress leaders have sought increased representation in local body institutions, including mayoral positions in key urban centers. Congress in-charge Gireesh Chodankar highlighted the seriousness of the Rajya Sabha seat issue within the alliance framework and mentioned that discussions on seat-sharing were underway.
He stated that the DMK’s seat-sharing committee would formally invite the Congress for detailed discussions, although the timing of the next round of negotiations is yet to be finalized. Political analysts anticipate that the DMK might concede two or three additional Assembly seats to the Congress compared to the previous election to uphold alliance unity before the crucial electoral battle.
