Elections – DMK and Congress Face Fresh Strain Over Power Sharing in Tamil Nadu
Elections – The political landscape in Tamil Nadu is witnessing renewed strain as differences between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Congress resurface ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
With the state preparing for a crucial electoral contest, disagreements over seat allocation and participation in governance have once again come to the forefront. The friction threatens to test the stability of the INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu, where the DMK and Congress have been long-time allies.
Disagreement Over Role in Governance
For nearly two months, conversations between the two parties have remained tense, largely over the Congress party’s insistence on a defined role in government if the alliance returns to power. While discussions were initially kept within party circles, recent public remarks have brought the issue into sharper focus.
A Congress delegation had met Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin on December 3 to deliberate on seat-sharing arrangements. The meeting was seen as an attempt to smooth differences. However, matters escalated after a senior Congress observer publicly supported the idea of a coalition-style government in Tamil Nadu, suggesting a more formal power-sharing framework.
Delay in Talks Raises Concerns
The delay in forming a formal DMK panel to begin structured alliance negotiations added to the unease. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is understood to have conveyed his concerns during a meeting in New Delhi on January 25 with DMK Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi. He reportedly emphasized the need for timely seat-sharing discussions to prevent a repeat of situations like the Bihar Assembly elections, where the Congress secured only six seats out of 61 contested.
Subsequently, the DMK announced that alliance discussions would formally commence on February 22. Despite this, public statements from Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu have kept the debate alive.
Congress Leaders Step Up Pressure
Several Congress figures, including MPs Manickam Tagore and Jyothimani, former MP Viswanathan, and former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K.S. Alagiri, have openly argued for participation in government. They contend that the party’s sustained support has contributed significantly to the alliance’s success and should translate into representation within the ruling structure.
These remarks have been met with strong responses from DMK ministers such as Raghupathi and Rajakannappan, intensifying tensions at the grassroots level. On February 11, Chief Minister Stalin stated that sharing power was not part of Tamil Nadu’s political tradition, but the statement did little to calm the ongoing exchange of views, particularly on social media platforms.
Historical Context and Electoral Performance
Congress leaders have pointed out that despite being an important ally in various elections, the party has not been part of the state’s ruling establishment since 1967. They reference previous Assembly elections, including 1984, 1991, and 2006, when the party won a substantial number of seats but remained outside the government.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the DMK secured 133 victories out of 173 seats it contested, while the Congress won 18 of the 25 seats allotted to it. Party leaders argue that this performance reflected a strong strike rate and reinforced their case for a larger role in the current political arrangement.
Seat Demand and Emerging Political Factors
Sources indicate that the Congress may seek as many as 45 seats in the upcoming polls, along with greater opportunities for emerging leaders. There are also concerns within the party that prolonged dissatisfaction could influence grassroots workers, especially with newer political formations such as Vijay’s TVK attempting to expand their presence.
On the other hand, the DMK is believed to be prioritizing discussions with smaller alliance partners, a strategy that could limit Congress’s bargaining space as negotiations progress.
With the AIADMK expected to release its initial list of candidates on February 24 and campaign activity gathering pace, both the DMK and Congress face a delicate balancing act. The discussions are no longer limited to numbers alone but extend to questions of influence, representation, and the future shape of their alliance in Tamil Nadu politics.