Chennai|The rhetoric in Tamil Nadu politics has intensified before the 2026 assembly elections. The state BJP has claimed serious differences between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its ally Congress. Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad alleged that there was a tussle going on between the two parties regarding seat sharing and power sharing. He says that some Congress leaders have demanded 45 assembly seats and participation in the government, which has increased tension in the alliance. Prasad also claimed that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is under pressure from the Congress leadership, especially Rahul Gandhi. He termed the recent statements of Congress leaders as a sign of weakness in the alliance.
Rs 5,000 scheme also targeted
The BJP spokesperson also took aim at the state government’s announcement of giving a lump sum of Rs 5,000 to women beneficiaries under the ‘Kalainar Magalir Urimai Thogai’ scheme. He termed it an election gimmick and alleged that this step has been taken to influence the voters.
NDA claims strength
Prasad claimed that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is continuously getting stronger in Tamil Nadu. This alliance includes All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), BJP, PMK and other regional parties. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent public meeting in Chengalpattu-Madurantakam, he said that better coordination between the Center and the state is possible with a double engine government. The BJP also alleged that the DMK is trying to divert attention by portraying the AIADMK as subordinate to Delhi, while issues like rising debt and unfulfilled promises in the state are still unresolved.
Congress demanded 45 seats
Congress leaders argue that despite playing a key role in the alliance’s victory, the party has not been in power in Tamil Nadu since 1967. They cite historical examples – 61 seats in 1984, 60 seats in 1991 and 34 seats in 2006 in which the Congress remained outside the ruling structure. In 2021, the DMK won 133 out of 173 seats, while the Congress recorded a higher success rate by winning 18 out of 25 seats. Sources say the Congress is now demanding up to 45 seats and is looking for more opportunities for young leaders, while warning that discontent could push grassroots workers towards Vijay’s TVK party. However, tensions appeared to be defused when a Congress delegation met the Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin on December 3 to discuss seat-sharing, but a senior Congress observer in Tamil Nadu publicly called off the alliance. The issue flared up again after he advocated the government model. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was further angered by the delay in formation of DMK’s formal committee to start alliance talks. At a meeting held in Delhi on January 25, Rahul expressed his displeasure with DMK Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi and urged her to start talks on seat sharing soon, so that a situation like the Bihar Assembly elections does not arise again, where the Congress had got only six seats out of 61.
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