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.

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 With 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. This simple calculation has increased confidence in Tamil Nadu’s electronics sector, which is already showing strong performance.

Tamil Nadu exported electronic goods worth $11.99 billion between April and November 2025. This is a major jump compared to $7.8 billion during the same period last year. The 53% growth during these eight months shows that production and global demand remain strong.

Steady Growth Pushes Tamil Nadu Closer to $18 Billion Target

Industries Minister T R B Rajaa said the state is likely to at least touch the $18 billion mark by the end of 2025-26. If achieved, this would be nearly 23% higher than the $14.65 billion recorded in 2024-25.

Over the past few years, Tamil Nadu’s electronics exports have grown rapidly. In 2020-21, exports were valued at only $1.65 billion. Since then, the sector has expanded almost nine times. This growth has made Tamil Nadu one of the top electronics exporting states in India.

At the national level, India exported $31.1 billion worth of electronic goods between April and November 2025, compared to $22.5 billion in the same period last year. While the country recorded around 38% growth, Tamil Nadu’s growth rate was even higher, showing the state’s strong position in the sector.

The state currently accounts for around 38.5% of India’s total electronics exports in 2025-26 until November. Last year, its share was 38%. If this share continues, Tamil Nadu will remain the leading contributor to the country’s electronics exports.

Strong Monthly Performance and Employment Support Growth

Another positive sign is the monthly export trend. In 2024-25, Tamil Nadu crossed the $2 billion monthly export mark only in March. But in the current financial year, the state reached $2.08 billion in November itself. This shows that exports are growing faster than before.

The state government has also focused on creating jobs in the electronics sector. Around 24,000 high-end engineering jobs have been generated in recent years. Women’s participation in factories has increased, supported by welfare schemes such as free bus travel. These measures have strengthened the workforce and improved productivity.

Tamil Nadu has also benefited from the Electronics Manufacturing Clusters scheme. Out of seven approved projects across India, five are located in the state. Nearly 69% of the jobs created under this scheme are in Tamil Nadu. This has helped build a strong industrial base for electronics manufacturing.

In the last financial year, the state exported $6.8 billion worth of electronics in the final four months from December to March. In comparison, to cross $18 billion this year, the state only needs to achieve about half of its April to November export value in the remaining months. This makes the target realistic and achievable.

The electronics sector has remained stable despite global trade challenges. Demand for mobile phones, components, and consumer electronics continues to support exports. With steady production and supportive policies, Tamil Nadu appears well placed to reach a new milestone. ALSO READ: TN CM Stalin Rejects Power-Sharing Demand with Allies; Congress Says ‘Respect DMK’s Views’ as Alliance Talks Begin 2026

Conclusion

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, and current trends clearly indicate that Tamil Nadu is on track. If the remaining months maintain steady exports, the state could set a new record, surpassing its previous performance. This growth demonstrates the resilience of the electronics sector, the effectiveness of government policies, and the rising global confidence in Tamil Nadu’s manufacturing capabilities. The current financial year is proving to be a pivotal period that could further solidify Tamil Nadu’s leadership in India’s electronics export landscape.

TN CM Stalin Rejects Power-Sharing Demand with Allies; Congress Says ‘Respect DMK’s Views’ Amid Political Buzz

TN CM Stalin rejects power-sharing demand with allies; Congress says “respect DMK’s views” as political discussions gain momentum ahead of the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu. The Chief Minister’s clear stand has brought clarity to the future of the DMK-led alliance, even as conversations around seat-sharing continue.

Speaking at a public interaction in Chennai, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin made it clear that while the alliance with the Congress party will remain strong, there is no possibility of sharing power with alliance partners. His remarks came at a time when discussions about seat-sharing and expectations from allies were becoming more visible in the political space.

Stalin said that his relationship with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi remains cordial. He described their bond as one built on shared values and concern for public welfare. According to him, both parties are united by ideology and a commitment to serve the people. However, he separated this personal and political understanding from the issue of power-sharing within the state government.

The DMK recently announced that it would begin seat-sharing talks with its friendly parties. This announcement followed expressions of disappointment from sections of the Congress leadership regarding delays in starting formal discussions. With elections approaching, allies are looking to secure a stronger role in the alliance structure.

Despite this background, Stalin firmly stated that power-sharing arrangements do not suit Tamil Nadu’s political culture. He explained that such models have not worked effectively in the state in the past. According to him, both the DMK and the Congress understand this ground reality. He added that the alliance would contest the elections together and expressed confidence that they would secure victory.

TN CM Stalin Rejects Power-Sharing Demand with Allies; Congress Says ‘Respect DMK’s Views’ During Key Election Phase

The Chief Minister also showed confidence in the ruling party’s performance. He said the DMK government has implemented several welfare schemes and development projects since coming to power. He expressed hope that the party would improve upon its previous electoral performance.

On the issue of relations between the State and the Union government, Stalin repeated his concerns that Tamil Nadu has not been receiving adequate financial support. He argued that the state deserves fair treatment and sufficient funds for development programs. This issue, he suggested, would also play a role in the political narrative going forward.

Reacting to Stalin’s comments, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai said that the Chief Minister had clearly explained his position. He stated that the Congress respects the DMK’s views on power-sharing. His remarks indicated that the Congress leadership, at least officially, is willing to accept the DMK’s stand while continuing as part of the alliance.

However, not all voices within the Congress have been silent on the matter. Some leaders have earlier spoken about the need for a greater role in governance if the alliance returns to power. They believe that a stronger participation in decision-making would reflect the spirit of coalition politics. At the same time, they have maintained that the final decision rests with the party leadership and the people of Tamil Nadu.

TN CM Stalin Rejects Power-Sharing Demand with Allies; Congress Says ‘Respect DMK’s Views’ Ahead of Elections

Political observers note that alliances in Tamil Nadu have often been shaped by electoral arithmetic rather than formal power-sharing agreements. In previous elections, parties have supported the ruling government from outside without demanding ministerial positions. This model has helped maintain stability, even when one party led the government independently.

The current developments suggest that while discussions may continue behind closed doors, the DMK leadership does not intend to change its governance structure. By clearly stating his position early, Stalin appears to be setting the tone for alliance negotiations. His message seems aimed at preventing confusion and managing expectations among partners.

As seat-sharing talks begin, the focus will shift to how constituencies are divided among allies. This process often determines the strength and unity of an alliance. Both the DMK and the Congress are expected to work toward a formula that benefits the coalition in the upcoming polls.

For now, TN CM Stalin rejects power-sharing demand with allies; Congress says “respect DMK’s views,” marking a significant moment in Tamil Nadu politics. The alliance remains intact, but the structure of governance appears firmly in DMK’s control. ALSO READ: TN govt on plea to seal illegal quarries near Gundar River draws court attention

Conclusion

The DMK and Congress alliance is set to continue into the next election, but without any power-sharing arrangement. Stalin’s clear stand has reduced uncertainty, and the coming weeks will show how smoothly seat-sharing talks progress within the alliance framework.