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Chidambaram Meets Stalin to Break DMK-Congress Seat-Sharing Deadlock

Congress leaders are meeting CM MK Stalin to negotiate a seat-sharing agreement for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, dismissing rumours of a rift. The state Congress chief asserts it is a natural alliance and that asking for more seats is part of normal negotiations. Meanwhile, AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami met Amit Shah to discuss strengthening the NDA ahead of the polls. The stage is set for a contest between the DMK-led INDIA bloc and the BJP-AIADMK alliance in 2026.

Key Points: DMK-Congress Seat-Sharing Talks: Chidambaram Meets Stalin

  • Congress-DMK seat-sharing talks
  • AIADMK's NDA strategy
  • 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls
  • INDIA bloc alliance dynamics
  • Dismissal of TVK talks
3 min read

Tamil Nadu: Congress MP P Chidambaram to meet CM MK Stalin amid seat-sharing deadlock

Congress MP P Chidambaram meets CM MK Stalin to resolve seat-sharing for 2026 Tamil Nadu polls amid alliance talks with AIADMK & BJP.

"Negotiations take place in every election... We're asking for a few more seats, and a settlement will be reached. - K Selvaperunthagai"

Chennai, March 3

Congress MP P Chidambaram and Tamil Nadu Congress President K Selvaperunthagai are meeting Tamil Chief Minister MK Stalin at his residence on Tuesday to resolve the deadlock around the seat-sharing formula between DMK and Congress.

This meeting comes in the backdrop of the ongoing discussions for a seat-sharing pact among the parties in the DMK-led alliance.

Amid a rumoured rift between the alliance partners in the run-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, Selvaperunthagai, on Monday, clarified that a settlement between Congress and DMK about seat sharing would be reached after negotiation, adding that there's no confusion between the two parties.

"Negotiations take place in every election, and each party will demand more seats, and a settlement will eventually be reached. The same will happen here. We're asking for a few more seats, and a settlement will be reached," the State Congress chief said.

"The DMK and Congress, the INDIA Bloc Alliance, is a natural alliance, an ideological alliance. Where's the disagreement? In every election, all parties, even smaller ones, demand more seats. We'll ask for whatever we need. Our Chief Minister, Stalin, will certainly consider it. There's no problem; everything is running smoothly," he added.

He also dismissed the rumours about Congress talking to Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), stating, "We did not speak to TVK. Who said we spoke to TVK? I am the PCC president. My high command also did not give me any direction to speak to them directly or indirectly. We do not have any backdoor politics."

Meanwhile, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday left for Chennai after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 2 to discuss the political situation in Tamil Nadu and strategies ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Addressing reporters at the airport, Palaniswami said the meeting at the Union Home Minister's residence focused on the current political landscape in the state and ways to strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the polls. He added that the AIADMK is in talks with several other parties regarding potential alliances, and some are expected to join the NDA bloc.

He also clarified that there have been no discussions about including VK Sasikala's party in the alliance.

The 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will go to the polls in the first half of 2026, where the MK Stalin-led alliance will look to project the 'Dravidian Model 2.0' for the win against the BJP-AIADMK alliance.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The DMK-Congress alliance is indeed a natural one for Tamil Nadu, based on a shared secular ideology. But Congress needs to be realistic in its demands. They don't have the same ground strength as before. Asking for too many seats might weaken the front against the AIADMK-BJP combine.
S
Suresh O
Meanwhile, EPS meeting Amit Shah is the bigger news. AIADMK is clearly getting its act together for 2026. The NDA in TN is looking more organized now. DMK alliance should worry less about seat-sharing and more about this strengthened opposition.
A
Ananya R
Good that Selvaperunthagai clarified the TVK rumours. Backdoor politics just creates unnecessary confusion. Let's hope the meeting between Chidambaram and Stalin is productive. We need a strong, united INDIA bloc to counter the BJP's national narrative in our state.
K
Karthik V
As a voter, I'm tired of this "seat-sharing" spectacle every election. Parties should have a transparent, long-term formula. All this energy should go into discussing the "Dravidian Model 2.0" – what does it actually mean for jobs, education, and healthcare? That's what matters.
M
Michael C
Following Tamil Nadu politics from outside India. The DMK-Congress alliance seems crucial for the national opposition's strategy. A stable seat-share here will send a positive signal for the INDIA bloc's cohesion nationwide. Hope they resolve it amicably.

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