DMK To Start Seat Talks From Feb 22

Panel to be formed after Congress flags delay in alliance negotiations

February 11, 2026: After ally Congress expressed concern over delays in initiating seat-sharing talks for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the ruling DMK has announced that it will constitute a committee to begin negotiations from February 22. In a statement issued from the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, the DMK said the constituency seat-sharing panel will soon be formed by party president and Chief Minister M K Stalin, and discussions with allies will commence once the Assembly session concludes.

The announcement follows remarks by AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Girish Chodankar, who termed the delay “saddening.” He said the Congress had already formed a five-member committee and initiated talks in early December 2025, but the DMK was yet to respond with its own panel. TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai also stressed that early clarity on the number of seats and constituencies was crucial for effective poll preparation, noting that last-minute decisions could hamper groundwork.

Responding to the criticism, the DMK said its cadres are currently engaged in election-related activities, including voter list revision, membership drives, booth agent training and welfare outreach under the Dravidian model government. The party added that a manifesto committee is touring the state and has received around 75,000 suggestions from the public so far. With the interim budget scheduled for presentation on February 17, the DMK indicated that formal alliance negotiations would proceed soon after.