Congress Leaders Highlight Urgency Ahead of Assembly Elections

No progress on seat sharing, TNCC anxious, says Chodankar; DMK calls meet on Feb 22, as the Tamil Nadu Congress continues to express concern over delays in finalizing alliance talks for the upcoming Assembly elections. With the DMK-led INDIA bloc set to begin formal discussions on February 22, party leaders are urging quick resolution to ensure proper election preparation.

Tamil Nadu Congress in-charge Girish Chodankar highlighted the urgency during a press interaction in New Delhi, stating that without clarity on seats and constituencies, the party cannot prepare effectively for the polls. “Elections are fast approaching, and without clarity on seats and constituencies, effective preparation is impossible,” he said, pointing to growing unease within the party ranks.

The DMK announced on Tuesday night that it will start seat-sharing talks with its allies on February 22. This came after Congress leaders expressed disappointment at what they termed a “delay” in initiating negotiations. Party members have been anxious for weeks, waiting for formal discussions to be scheduled.

TNCC Concern Reflects Urgency in Upcoming Elections

Chodankar clarified that Congress was not blaming any party but was only stating facts. He noted that the last meeting with Chief Minister M K Stalin took place on December 3, and since then, there has been little progress. The delay, he added, has caused frustration among both party leaders and grassroots workers who are eager to start preparations.

During the Delhi meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai, and other senior leaders emphasized the need for early and decisive alliance negotiations. Selvaperunthagai highlighted that delayed discussions weaken the party’s position and impact the groundwork necessary across all 234 Assembly constituencies.

The DMK, in its statement, pointed to ongoing work by the party cadre and listed initiatives such as grassroots campaigns and SIR-related activities. It also mentioned the upcoming interim budget on February 17, suggesting that these activities are part of broader election preparations. However, the statement did not directly link these actions to the delay in alliance discussions.

Alliance Preparation Gains Focus Ahead of Polls

Congress leaders stressed that proper groundwork across constituencies is critical for success. Referring to elections in states such as Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand, they noted that last-minute seat-sharing decisions had negatively affected outcomes in the past. Early finalization of seats and clear communication between allies, they said, would give the party adequate time to strengthen organization, mobilize cadres, and prepare election strategies.

Chodankar and Selvaperunthagai made it clear that the Congress will urge the DMK to constitute the alliance negotiation committee immediately. The party leadership believes that decisive action is needed so that candidates can be finalized, campaigns can be planned, and grassroots teams can operate without uncertainty.

The delay has been a source of concern not just for leaders but also for the party’s rank-and-file members, who are eager to start election preparation. TNCC leaders highlighted that without clear directives on seat allocation, the party may lose valuable time in reaching out to voters and strengthening its base in key constituencies.

Upcoming DMK Meet Brings Hope for Resolution

The formal commencement of talks on February 22 is expected to resolve much of the uncertainty. Party insiders suggest that the DMK-led negotiation committee will carefully evaluate seat allocations while keeping in mind alliance dynamics and previous electoral performance. The meeting is also expected to finalize strategies for collaborative campaigning with the Congress and other allies.

Both DMK and Congress leaders have expressed commitment to working together. Chodankar stated that while there is anxiety about the delay, the party continues to maintain confidence in the DMK alliance. “We are confident that once the talks begin, we can align on strategy and prepare for a strong performance in the elections,” . ALSO READ: Strong Export Momentum: In the Current Financial Year, the State Will Have to Achieve Only 50% of What It Exported Between April and November 2025 in the Last Four Months of 2025-26 to Cross the $18 Billion Mark

Conclusion

No progress on seat sharing, TNCC anxious, says Chodankar; DMK calls meet on Feb 22, signaling a turning point for alliance discussions in Tamil Nadu. With only a few weeks left before the elections, timely seat-sharing agreements and early preparation are crucial. The formal talks on February 22 are expected to address delays, allowing both DMK and Congress to finalize strategies and strengthen coordination for a successful election campaign.