T.N. Assembly election: DMK to insist on action against Manickam Tagore, Praveen Chakravarty before seat-sharing talks with Congress

Ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the goodwill between the ruling DMK and its ally, the Congress, has suffered a severe jolt in the wake of continuous accusations levelled against the Dravidian party by a section of Congress leaders, particularly Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore and functionary Praveen Chakravarty.

The DMK leadership, it is reliably learnt, appears to have prepared itself for the outcome, whatever it may be. “Our party leadership is not inclined to call the Congress for seat-sharing talks if action is not taken against the two functionaries,” a senior leader in the DMK told The Hindu on Monday (February 16, 2026).

Power sharing will not work in Tamil Nadu: CM Stalin

‘Stalin upset’

“Our leader is upset. We are certain Mr. Tagore would not be targeting us and repeatedly demanding a share in power without the blessings of the Congress high command. How do you expect us to sit with them and hold seat-sharing talks after Mr. Tagore has criticised our leadership and the party?” asked the leader.