The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Wednesday finalised a seat-sharing agreement with the Communist Party of India (CPI), allotting five Assembly seats ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections.
The agreement was formally signed in Chennai by Chief Minister M K Stalin and CPI state secretary M Veerapandiyan, in the presence of senior leaders from both sides, cementing their alliance under the DMK-led front.
The allocation represents a marginal reduction for the CPI, which had contested six seats in the 2021 Assembly elections as part of the Secular Progressive Alliance. The final figure was reached after several days of intense negotiations between the two parties.
Sources indicated that the CPI initially demanded a double-digit seat share, while the DMK had opened talks by offering just four seats. Both parties gradually adjusted their positions before agreeing on a compromise of five constituencies.
The DMK is believed to have cited limitations in accommodating allies, pointing to the inclusion of new partners such as the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) within the alliance.
During the final round of discussions, the CPI reportedly pushed for at least one more seat than its 2021 tally, while the DMK remained firm on reducing its share. After internal consultations, including a meeting of state-level leaders earlier this week, the CPI agreed to settle for five seats in the upcoming polls.
The agreement is viewed as part of the DMK’s broader strategy to streamline its alliance framework ahead of the elections, balancing the expectations of existing partners while accommodating new entrants.
With the deal now in place, both parties are expected to quickly move forward with candidate selection and campaign preparations as the state gears up for a closely fought electoral contest.
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