Chennai — As the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections draw closer, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has formally constituted a seven-member committee tasked with negotiating seat-sharing arrangements with alliance partners. The move signals the party’s intent to fast-track coalition talks and finalise electoral arithmetic well ahead of the poll schedule.
The panel headed by senior DMK leader T.R. Baalu includes experienced strategists and organisational figures with deep knowledge of regional political dynamics. It is entrusted with the complex task of allocating assembly seats among allies in the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) and other supportive parties. According to party sources, discussions will begin immediately, with a focus on reaching consensus without protracted bargaining.
In announcing the committee, the DMK emphasised the importance of unity among like-minded regional and national parties that have aligned with its platform. The objective is to ensure broad-based representation and prevent vote fragmentation in key constituencies, particularly where multiple partners have a significant grassroots presence.
While the final list of alliance partners remains in flux, the standing panel is expected to prioritise talks with parties that share ideological common ground with the DMK’s social welfare and federalist agenda. Analysts note that timely seat-sharing agreements can provide clarity to voters and give allied parties time to mobilise ground forces and fine-tune their campaign strategies.
The formation of the seat-sharing committee also comes amid broader alliance manoeuvrings across the State, with parties both within and outside the traditional Dravidian fold expressing interest in partnering with major formations. By institutionalising negotiations through a dedicated panel, the DMK is signalling its preference for structured dialogue over ad hoc arrangements.
In a press release, general secretary Duraimurugan said former Union Minister and party treasurer T.R. Baalu would head the committee. The other members are Ministers K.N. Nehru, PWD Minister E.V. Velu, and Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam, party MP Tiruchi N. Siva; former Union Minister A. Raja; and organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi.
Party insiders say that the committee is empowered to recommend constituency allocations, review past electoral performance, and propose adjustments based on emerging demographic data and local strengths.
For now, political observers say the committee’s early formation demonstrates the DMK’s priority to project organisational discipline and alliance cohesion — two factors that are likely to be critical in what is expected to be a highly competitive electoral contest.
