NEW DELHI: Even as tensions simmered in Congress circles following the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) announcing its alliance with the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) in Tamil Nadu, sources indicated that the grand old party’s alliance with Chief Minister M. K. Stalin’s party will be finalised in the coming days. The DMK has constituted a seven-member negotiation committee under the chairmanship of T. R. Baalu to formalise discussions.
Sources said the Indian National Congress will soon resume talks with the DMK in Tamil Nadu and announce the seat-sharing formula. According to insiders, the alliance between the two parties is almost sealed, with senior DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi in touch with top Congress functionaries to iron out remaining differences.
The Congress is likely to be allocated between 27 and 32 seats, sources suggested. However, with Stalin reiterating that there would be no power-sharing arrangement in the state, the DMK is reportedly considering offering a Rajya Sabha berth or positions such as board chairmanships to accommodate Congress concerns.
Sources added that both sides are awaiting confirmation of meeting dates to formally conclude the agreement.
Relations between the two allies had recently faced strain after some DMK leaders demanded action against Congress MP Manickam Tagore and strategist Praveen Chakravarty.
On February 17, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru and submitted a report regarding the discord following remarks by Tagore.
Tagore had recently pressed for power-sharing, including a demand for the Madurai North seat, and accused certain DMK leaders of disrespecting Congress. He also stated that the Congress had borne the burden of past DMK missteps—remarks that reportedly irked the DMK leadership.
Sources said the Tamil Nadu Congress chief urged corrective action against Tagore, cautioning that continued public statements could strain the alliance. Before leaving for Bengaluru, Selvaperunthagai advised party leaders against speaking publicly on alliance matters, citing clear instructions from the All India Congress Committee leadership and senior leader Rahul Gandhi.
