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TVK Exit, Left Pushback, Manapparai Tussle: DMK's Alliance Talks Turn Turbulent In Tamil Nadu Polls
TVK Exit, Left Pushback, Manapparai Tussle: DMK's Alliance Talks Turn Turbulent In Tamil Nadu Polls
With Tamil Nadu headed for the 2026 Assembly elections, seat-sharing negotiations are exposing visible strains within the ruling alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Talks over constituency allocations have triggered friction among partners who feel squeezed as the ruling party seeks to retain a larger share of seats. Tensions are playing out on the ground as well, with multiple allies competing for the same constituencies while the DMK is reluctant to concede strongholds. The situation marks a shift from the coalition’s relatively smoother coordination in the previous election cycle and signals a tougher bargaining phase as nominations approach.
The most prominent rupture came after T Velmurugan’s Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) exited the alliance, citing neglect and dissatisfaction over seat allocation. Meanwhile, Left parties — especially the Communist Party of India (Marxist) — are resisting proposed seat cuts, and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi is pushing for a larger share, arguing its growing electoral base. Negotiations with the Indian National Congress are also delicate, reflecting broader power-sharing tensions within the bloc.
In the 2021 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, the DMK-led alliance won 159 out of 234 seats, ousting the previous AIADMK government. The DMK itself won 133 seats, forming a clear majority, while key allies also contributed to the alliance tally. The Congress contested 25 seats and won 18, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi won 4, and the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) each secured 2 seats. Other smaller allies like the Indian Union Muslim League and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi were allocated a few seats as part of the coalition strategy. Overall, this seat allocation helped the SPA achieve a comfortable margin over the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its partners.
Smaller parties like CPI and CPI(M) had initially sought more seats, However, unlike in 2026, these disagreements remained mostly behind closed doors and did not lead to public exits or open disputes before the polls.
T Velmurugan’s Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) has withdrawn from the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance after failing to get more than one seat in the alliance’s allocation talks — despite initially asking for more.
Velmurugan’s party chose not to join the BJP-led NDA and will contest independently or align elsewhere. Velmurugan said the decision was taken after most of his party’s demands were not addressed by the ruling DMK government.
This is the first and most visible split within the DMK coalition this election.
Manapparai in Tiruchirappalli district is considered a politically strategic seat because of its mixed rural–semi-urban voter base and history of competitive contests. More than one ally in the DMK-led front has staked a claim here. The Congress reportedly sees the seat as winnable based on its local cadre strength and past vote share, while the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) is also pushing for it, arguing historical presence and grassroots networks in parts of the constituency. However, the DMK itself is reluctant to cede Manapparai, viewing it as an important stronghold it would prefer to retain under its own symbol.
Communist parties are pushing back against what they see as reduced seat offers or limited influence. Reports say the CPI(M) is resisting reductions and seeking more seats than DMK’s current offer — pushing for a double-digit share. The CPI has settled for five seats this time — one fewer than in 2021 — and submitted a wishlist of constituencies it prefers.
The VCK, another key ally, is demanding a significantly larger share — claiming it has grown in strength and is pressing for double-digit seats including in Puducherry — but negotiations are not yet resolved.
The delays and pushback from these partners show strain within the alliance, and talks are still ongoing without final resolutions.
Separately in Puducherry’s election, DMK and Indian National Congress are in a stalemate over how many of the 30 seats each should contest — with Congress pushing for a larger share and DMK insisting on a balanced allocation based on strength.
AIADMK leaders have mocked the visible rifts in the DMK-led alliance, especially between DMK and the Congress, suggesting that disagreements over seat sharing show a coalition in trouble. Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Edappadi K Palaniswami said the AIADMK-BJP alliance was coherent and moving smoothly while implying the DMK bloc was confused over its internal negotiations. “There is no confusion in the NDA. Things are smooth, and formal seat-sharing talks will begin soon. In contrast, going by media reports, it appears there is confusion only in the DMK–Congress alliance."
Tamil Nadu is set to vote in a single phase on April 23. As the state moves closer to polling day, the DMK’s biggest test may not just be taking on the opposition but keeping its own coalition intact. The counting of votes for Tamil Nadu Elections will take place on May 4.
Source: News18
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