CHENNAI: The political heat for the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu is rising by the day. Bowing to sustained pressure from its principal ally, the Congress, the ruling DMK has announced the official date for seat-sharing negotiations. The process is set to commence on February 22.

Talks to Begin Right After Budget Session

The interim budget session of the Tamil Nadu government is scheduled to conclude on February 17. Immediately following this, the DMK leadership has decided to initiate seat-sharing discussions starting February 22. A special 'Constituency Allocation Committee' has been formed for this purpose.

A Victory for Congress's Persistence?

The Congress had been firmly demanding a clear timeline to finalize candidates and electoral strategies. By setting a firm date, the DMK aims to quell dissatisfaction within the 'Secular Progressive Alliance' (SPA) and project a united front against the NDA.

Negotiations on One Side, Election War on the Other

While seat-sharing discussions are about to begin, the DMK has already intensified its election machinery:

Manifesto Preparation: The DMK Manifesto Committee has toured the state and collected over 75,000 suggestions from the public.

Wooing Women Voters: The women’s wing has launched a door-to-door campaign titled 'Vellum Tamil Pengal' (Victorious Tamil Women).

Organizational Strength: Preparations are underway for a massive conference in Trichy, alongside booth-level agent training and voter list revision.

Stage Set for a High-Voltage Battle

The negotiations starting February 22 will define the future of the alliance. The DMK's primary goal is to ensure that internal differences do not affect the campaign. All eyes are now on how the DMK and Congress will distribute seats to challenge the AIADMK-BJP combine.