CONGRESS BARGAINS HARD IN TN, DMK RELUCTANT

Seat-sharing tensions rise within Tamil Nadu’s ruling alliance ahead of polls.

- TIKAM SHARMA

As Tamil Nadu prepares for the 2026 Assembly elections, a fierce political contest is unfolding between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led alliance and the opposition NDA bloc led in the state by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

With elections approaching, both camps have accelerated seat-sharing negotiations, particularly discussions between the DMK and its ally, the Indian National Congress.

Sources in the Congress told The Sunday Guardian that the party is seeking a larger share of seats than it received in the 2021 Assembly polls. The Congress is reportedly demanding between 40 and 45 seats in the 234-member House, while the DMK is said to be reluctant to allot more than the 25 seats the party contested last time.