The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is locking in its coalition math ahead of the high-stakes April 23 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. The party faces the dual challenge of defending its incumbency and countering a fractured voter base threatened by new political entrants. State Minister S.S. Sivasankar formally defended the DMK’s finalized seat-sharing formula. The agreement grants 10 constituencies to the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam.
The numbers reveal a stark hierarchy within the alliance. The DMK will contest around 175 seats. The Congress takes 28. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi secured eight. The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam received four. The decision to grant 10 seats to the DMDK triggered immediate backlash from the opposition. The AIADMK accused the ruling party of unfairly favoring a recent entrant over its long-standing coalition partners.
Sivasankar dismissed the allegations of bias while telling reporters in Chennai about the final list. “Each party has been given appropriate recognition and respect. The allocations were finalised only after two to three rounds of talks,” Sivasankar said. He justified the DMDK’s double-digit allocation by pointing to the party’s historical weight as an opposition force. The DMDK, led by Premallatha Vijayakant, officially joined the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance in February 2026 after previously aligning with the AIADMK and the NDA.
The alliance pivot is a calculated move in regional politics. The DMK aggressively pursued the DMDK to absorb its statewide network of an estimated 30,000 booth-level agents. Party strategists view the consolidation as a necessary shield against actor Vijay’s newly launched Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party. Sivasankar ignored the strategic implications and instead attacked the AIADMK directly. He claimed the opposition’s criticism stems from anxiety over an impending electoral defeat.
“Criticising others seems to be their only job. They should first introspect before targeting others,” Sivasankar said. He suggested the AIADMK could soon face catastrophic internal fractures similar to the structural collapses seen within the Shiv Sena. The DMK is now preparing to launch a statewide tour to gather public input for its official election manifesto. The final draft will go to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for approval before voters head to the polls.