Chennai, Feb 14 (NationPress) As the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approach, new tensions have surfaced within the DMK–Congress coalition concerning seat distribution and involvement in governance.

A recent post on social media by Congress MP Manickam Tagore has sparked renewed speculation about the power-sharing dynamics between the two partners.

The situation escalated when Tamil Nadu Minister Raja Kannappan remarked at a public gathering that the DMK intends to contest 160–170 constituencies in the upcoming Assembly elections and is optimistic about securing up to 160 seats.

Referencing this statement, Manickam Tagore took to X to inquire about the DMK's position.

“In 2021, you contested 173 seats and secured 133. We seek clarity on the seats you lost,” Tagore expressed.

He emphasized, “Power-sharing is a necessity. A share in governance is our entitlement. The electorate will determine the outcome.”

His comments come amidst ongoing negotiations and denials regarding Congress' involvement in the state administration.

Earlier this week, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, during a private event in Chennai, dismissed the notion of a coalition government in Tamil Nadu.

While confirming the continuation of the alliance with the Congress, he made it clear that there would be no power-sharing arrangement within the administration, effectively rejecting the calls from some Congress leaders for ministerial roles.

In response to reports of Stalin's statements, Tagore took to social media: “The people will determine if it will be a coalition or a single-party government. The failure to execute the people's mandate in 2006 was the Tamil Nadu Congress' error.”

In the 2006 Assembly elections, the DMK secured 96 seats while the Congress obtained 34, facilitating the formation of a coalition government.

Tagore hinted that the Congress should have pushed for more robust power-sharing terms at that time, given the DMK's lack of an absolute majority.

Addressing the situation on February 11, Chief Minister Stalin reaffirmed that the alliance remains intact.

“The DMK–Congress relationship is not what others perceive. We are at ease. We understand that the share in government does not meet Tamil Nadu's expectations, and they recognize it too. Some individuals are attempting to sow discord to see if a rift exists. We are unconcerned; Rahul is also at ease,” he stated.

In another response, Tagore questioned, “If citizens request a stake in governance, how can that be classified as a conspiracy?”

As the electoral campaign heats up, the discourse surrounding seat allocation and power-sharing is likely to remain a significant topic within the alliance.