'Alliance Culture Unacceptable': DMK Rejects Congress's Power-Sharing Pitch Amid Alliance Tensions

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 15:33 IST

The DMK has been upset with the Congress, first over Rahul Gandhi’s outreach to TVK's Vijay and then over the power-sharing pitch

The verbal duel came as Kanimozhi was deputed to speak to Rahul Gandhi to iron out issues. (PTI)

Amidst a tussle within the DMK-Congress alliance, DMK sources indicate that the power-sharing demand being made by the Grand Old Party is unlikely to be accepted by the former.

“The people of Tamil Nadu will not accept such an arrangement. It is not a question of what DMK leaders or cadre thinks. Alliance culture is unacceptable to Tamil Nadu," a DMK functionary said. He added that Congress’s concerns can be taken care of at the grassroots organisational level. “They can be accommodated in the corporations. There are around 40 corporations where seat sharing can be done," the DMK functionary said.

The new formula came days after Madurai MLA G Thalapathi lashed out at Congress MP Manickam Tagore and Jothimani. Speaking at a public rally, Thalapathi said DMK should ensure that tickets are denied to Virudhnagar MP Manickam Tagore and his Karur MP Jothimani in the next Lok Sabha polls. “While they both have become MPs with the support of INDIA bloc, they were not bothered about anyone from the Congress becoming MLAs, and raking up the issue of share in power. The very existence of the INDIA bloc depended on leaders like MK Stalin, Mamata Banerjee, and Akhilesh Yadav," he said.

Tagore hit back, saying the Congress leadership in Tamil Nadu must take note of the kind of language being used by alliance partners. “We don’t use such language. They should be mindful," he told CNN-News18 on the sidelines of the all-party meeting.

The verbal duel came as Kanimozhi was deputed to speak to Rahul Gandhi to iron out issues. “I am travelling to Delhi to attend Parliament and will meet Rahul Gandhi there," Kanimozhi told reporters in Chennai.

The DMK has been upset with the Congress, first over Rahul Gandhi’s outreach to TVK’s Vijay and then over the power-sharing pitch. Senior party MPs, however, played down the rift. “The alliance has been going strong for 22 years. It will remain so," a senior DMK MP, who did not wish to be named, told CNN-News18.

News elections 'Alliance Culture Unacceptable': DMK Rejects Congress's Power-Sharing Pitch Amid Alliance Tensions

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