Congress Eyes Power Grab, Demands More Seats From DMK Ally

Former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President K.S. Alagiri declared on Friday that it's the party's "absolute right" to press ally DMK for a larger slice of Assembly seats and a formal share in governance ahead of the 2026 state elections. Speaking to reporters in Chidambaram, Alagiri emphasized that the Congress's substantial vote bank—often credited with tipping the scales in past polls—warrants proportional representation, framing the demands not as greed but as justified equity.

"It is our right to ask for allocation of more seats in the Assembly poll, and a share in power," Alagiri stated firmly, brushing off speculation of a potential alliance switch as "baseless." He reiterated the DMK's status as a steadfast "friend," insisting the push is merely about securing what the Congress has earned through its grassroots mobilization and electoral heft.

This comes at a time when the INDIA bloc, led by the DMK in Tamil Nadu, is strategizing seat-sharing formulas to counter the NDA's aggressive outreach, with the Congress eyeing at least 50-60 seats—up from the 39 it contested in the 2021 elections, where it won 18.

Alagiri's comments echo recent barbs traded between TNCC chief K. Selvaperunthagai and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who lambasted Selvaperunthagai for allegedly prioritizing DMK loyalty over Congress interests. Palaniswami accused the TNCC leader of failing to advocate for power-sharing, dubbing him "more loyal to the DMK than Congress."

In a sharp retort, Selvaperunthagai fired back, mocking Palaniswami's past alliances with the BJP—despite the latter's corruption allegations against late AIADMK icon J. Jayalalithaa—and dredging up old DMK jabs about Palaniswami "crawling under the table" to curry favor with V.K. Sasikala for the chief minister's post in 2017. Palaniswami, undeterred, quipped he wasn't a "lizard or snake" to slither into power.

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The verbal volleys highlight the high-stakes chess game in Tamil Nadu's polarized politics, where alliances can make or break fortunes. The DMK-Congress tie-up has been pivotal since 2021, helping the secular front secure a landslide victory against the AIADMK-BJP combine. However, with Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and other smaller parties in the mix, negotiations are heating up.

Analysts see Alagiri's intervention—leveraging his stature as a veteran leader with a loyal following in southern districts—as a tactical nudge to strengthen the Congress's bargaining position. Failure to concede could strain the alliance, potentially driving Congress toward independents or even a reluctant overture to the AIADMK, though Alagiri dismissed such scenarios outright.

As Tamil Nadu's 234 Assembly seats loom on the horizon, this power tussle underscores broader challenges for opposition unity against the BJP's expanding footprint in the Dravidian heartland. For the Congress, which has struggled to reclaim its pan-India glory, a robust deal with the DMK isn't just about seats—it's a litmus test for revival in one of its traditional strongholds. With Alagiri's voice amplifying internal frustrations, the coming weeks could redefine the secular front's playbook in the battle for Chennai's corridors of power.

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