The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Friday sought a separate seating arrangement in the Lok Sabha, signalling a sharp rupture in its long-standing alliance with the Indian National Congress.
The request was made by DMK parliamentary leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi in a letter to Speaker Om Birla, citing “changed political circumstances” following the fallout from the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results.
The move comes after the Congress decided to support actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), to form the government in the state, effectively ending its alliance with the DMK.
“I write to respectfully request suitable changes in the seating arrangement of the Members of Parliament belonging to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the Lok Sabha. In view of the changed political circumstances and as our alliance with the Indian National Congress has come to an end, it may not be appropriate for our Members to continue occupying the present seating arrangement alongside them in the House,” Kanimozhi wrote.
She also urged the Speaker to allocate a separate space for DMK MPs to enable them to “effectively discharge their responsibilities in the August House”.
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The DMK, with 22 MPs, is the fourth-largest opposition party, and its decision is seen as a significant setback for the INDIA bloc.
The rift follows a hung verdict in Tamil Nadu, where the DMK-led alliance lost its majority and TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats. The Congress, which won five seats, shifted support to TVK after the results.
Earlier, the DMK Legislature Party passed a resolution condemning the Congress move as a “sudden political shift” and a “betrayal”. Party leaders also pointed out that Congress had earlier secured one Rajya Sabha seat and 28 Assembly constituencies due to the DMK’s “patience and magnanimity”.
Meanwhile, smaller parties are weighing their options as TVK attempts to reach the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Assembly. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India are holding meetings to decide their stance, while others are also in discussions.
The developments underline intensifying political realignments in Tamil Nadu and pose fresh challenges for opposition unity at the national level.
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