Just when the DMK-Congress alliance was on the edge, behind-the-scenes role played by DMK parliamentary Party leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and Congress MP Karti P. Chidambaram helped break the ice between the leadership of the two parties. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also played a pivotal role in retaining the front.
On Tuesday (March 3, 2026), the prospects brightened for striking a deal and jointly facing the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, when Congress veteran P Chidambaram was deputed to hold a meeting with DMK president and Chief Minister M K Stalin.
Sources said though the two leaders had begun building bridges a few days earlier, the breakthrough was achieved when the AICC high command in New Delhi arranged a telephonic conversation with Congress MLAs in Tamil Nadu to elicit their views on continuing the alliance with the DMK. Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal spoke to the MLAs on Monday (March 2, 2026) night.
Tamil Nadu Assembly election: Stalemate over DMK-Congress seat-sharing talks
“Most of them were in favour of continuing the alliance with the DMK. Even those who have a difference of opinion said the high command could take the final call,” a source said.
