DMK Forms Panel for Seat-Sharing Talks with Allies Ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu Polls

In a strategic move to consolidate its position well before the electoral battle, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has officially constituted a committee to initiate discussions with its alliance partners regarding seat-sharing for the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections.

According to a statement released by DMK General Secretary Durai Murugan on Saturday, the party headquarters has established the panel to conduct negotiations with its allies. This decision marks the beginning of early groundwork by the ruling party to ensure a cohesive front as the state gears up for the polls in the first half of next year.

The newly formed committee will be chaired by senior leader and party Treasurer T.R. Baalu. The panel comprises a mix of seasoned politicians and key organizational figures, including Principal Secretary K.N. Nehru, Deputy General Secretaries Tiruchi Siva and A. Raja, Organising Secretary R.S. Bharathi, and High-Level Executive Committee members E.V. Velu and M.R.K. Panneerselvam. The primary mandate of this team will be to engage with allies to finalize seat allocations and strengthen inter-party coordination in the run-up to the elections.

Political activities in the state are expected to gradually intensify, with further consultations between the DMK and its allies likely to take place in the coming months.

Stalin Confident of Returning to Power

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin has exuded confidence about his government's return for a second consecutive term. Speaking during the debate on the Interim Budget in the state assembly on Friday, Stalin reflected on his administration's five-year journey and laid out a vision for the future.

Addressing the House, the Chief Minister asserted, "The 'Dravidian Model 2.0' government that we are going to form will surpass even our own achievements. We will win again. We will form the government again." His statement underscores the party's confidence in retaining power, banking on the welfare schemes and governance model implemented since 2021.

Political Landscape and Previous Poll Performance

The 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly is scheduled to go to polls in 2026. In the previous 2021 Assembly elections, the DMK secured a decisive mandate by winning 133 seats on its own. Its allies in the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) also performed strongly, with the Congress winning 18 seats, the VCK securing four, and the PMK (which was then part of the alliance) winning five, among others. Collectively, the SPA commanded 159 seats in the house.

On the other side of the aisle, the AIADMK emerged as the single largest opposition party with 66 seats. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, managed to secure 75 seats in the previous election.

With the DMK now formally initiating seat-sharing talks, the political landscape in Tamil Nadu is expected to witness increased activity as parties begin to firm up their strategies for the high-stakes assembly elections.