The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has reserved one Rajya Sabha seat for its newly joined ally, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The agreement was signed at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, in the presence of Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and DMDK treasurer L. K. Sudheesh.
Under the agreement, the DMDK has been allotted one Rajya Sabha berth as part of the alliance arrangement. The party, founded by late actor-politician Vijayakanth in 2005, will secure representation in the Upper House of Parliament through the DMK-led alliance following the understanding reached between the two parties.
On February 19, DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth met Chief Minister Stalin to finalise the alliance terms, including seat sharing. Speaking after the meeting, Premalatha Vijayakanth said the decision was taken “respecting the wishes of party cadres” and added that the alliance would “uphold the principles and vision laid down by Captain Vijayakanth.”
The DMK has been holding discussions with its alliance partners regarding both Rajya Sabha representation and Assembly seat distribution for the 2026 elections. Smaller allies have already begun to firm up their positions. The Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) have each been allotted two Assembly seats as part of their respective agreements with the DMK.
Seat-sharing negotiations are also underway with the Indian National Congress. The Congress, which contested 25 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections as part of the alliance, has held multiple rounds of talks with the DMK leadership regarding its allocation for 2026. While the DMK is reported to have offered 30 Assembly seats along with two Rajya Sabha berths, Congress leaders have sought a higher share, and discussions are continuing.
The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has also held seat-sharing discussions with the DMK and submitted a “wish list” of constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, seeking what party leaders described as a dignified share based on electoral strength. The final number of seats to be allocated to the VCK in Tamil Nadu has not yet been announced.
Talks are continuing with the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), led by Vaiko. The MDMK is part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and has been engaged in discussions regarding its share of Assembly constituencies. Party sources indicated that negotiations are focused on retaining constituencies previously contested by the MDMK.
– Magizh
