Senior DMK leader T.K.S. Elangovan on Wednesday rejected reports that the Indian National Congress is exerting undue pressure on the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Elangovan dismissed suggestions of coercion and clarified that seat‑sharing negotiations between the alliance partners are scheduled to begin on February 22.
Speculation has been growing in political circles that the Congress is seeking a greater share of seats and influence within the DMK‑led alliance, with some reports claiming the party is demanding up to 40 constituencies — a significant increase from the 25 it contested in 2021. Elangovan, however, said neither the All India Congress Committee (AICC) president nor the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president has made such demands, suggesting that such claims were being circulated by individuals seeking attention rather than reflecting the official stance of the Congress leadership.
Elangovan’s comments come amid ongoing political negotiations as the DMK and its allies prepare for the polls, with the Congress already forming a five‑member committee to engage in forthcoming alliance discussions. He emphasised that talks will proceed in an organised manner as planned, and dismissed narratives of a rift between the partners, underscoring the longstanding cooperative relationship between the DMK and Congress ahead of the crucial election battle.