'Power-sharing is essential': Congress presses DMK again after Stalin's red line in Tamil Nadu
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 14, 2026
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Congress presses DMK for a larger share of seats in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections ahead of polls, with MP Manickam Tagore emphasizing the necessity of power-sharing in state governance. The demand comes after DMK leader MK Stalin ruled out any coalition government, asserting that his party will contest 170 constituencies and secure 160 seats independently. Congress, however, is seeking the seats where DMK failed to win in the 2021 elections, highlighting a growing tension between the two allies.
The DMK-Congress alliance won 151 seats together in 2021, but Stalin has rejected power-sharing, stating that it "will not work in Tamil Nadu" and dismissing rumors of a rift within the alliance. Meanwhile, formal talks between the Congress and DMK are set to begin on February 22, with K Selvaperunthagai reaffirming the alliance's unity despite BJP efforts to disrupt it. The ongoing negotiations aim to finalize seat allocations and strategies for the election.
Tagore’s comments come in response to DMK leader RS Raja Kannappan’s assertion that the DMK will win 160 seats on its own, a claim Tagore dismissed by pointing out the DMK secured only 133 of the 173 constituencies it contested in 2021. He emphasized that power-sharing is essential for effective governance and that the people’s verdict will determine the distribution of political authority.
The political dynamics in Tamil Nadu reflect broader challenges faced by alliances in India, where balancing coalition demands with individual party interests can impact election outcomes and state stability. As polls approach, the Congress-DMK alliance faces a critical test of unity and cooperation, which could shape the future governance of Tamil Nadu.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/14/2026