New Delhi: The Congress and the DMK—which are set to contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections together—have yet to reach a consensus regarding an alliance in neighboring Puducherry, even with just two days remaining before the nomination process concludes on March 23.
The Congress and the DMK had finalized their alliance for Tamil Nadu on March 4. This was made possible only after several weeks of intense negotiations and the intervention of top leaders from both parties. Under this agreement, the Congress will contest 28 out of the 234 Assembly seats. Congress insiders revealed that the party had initially demanded 39 seats but agreed to contest fewer seats in order to preserve the alliance.
Party insiders explained that the Congress agreed to a reduced number of seats because, traditionally, the DMK has been the senior partner in Tamil Nadu, whereas in Puducherry, the Congress has historically secured the larger share of seats. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the Congress contested 21 seats, while the DMK contested 9 seats out of a total of 30.
Congress insiders indicated that the primary reason for the delay in finalizing the alliance in Puducherry was a delayed response from the DMK. The DMK is now proposing that both alliance partners contest 14 seats each, leaving the remaining 2 seats for their other allies. The Congress has rejected this formula, stating that it does not wish to deviate from the formula adopted in 2021.
Girish Chodankar, the AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, told ETV Bharat, “Discussions are currently underway between the two parties. The DMK had proposed a new formula, but we do not agree with it. We want the previous formula to continue. We are well aware of the deadline for filing nominations. We remain hopeful that this deal will be finalized, but the outcome will ultimately depend on the direction in which these negotiations proceed.” “If anything is to happen, it must happen by Saturday.”
Voting for all 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu is scheduled for April 23, while voting for all 30 Assembly seats in Puducherry will take place on April 9. Congress insiders expressed concern over the evolving situation, noting that the window for negotiations has narrowed significantly ahead of the March 23 deadline for filing nominations. To prepare for any eventuality—including the possibility of contesting the elections alone—Congress sources stated that the party has already identified candidates for all 30 seats and will announce the names if the need arises.
The Congress Central Election Committee, chaired by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Party President Mallikarjun Kharge, met on March 18 to review the list of candidates for all 30 seats, which had been recommended by the Screening Committee during its meeting on March 17.
Former Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy expressed optimism that an alliance between the Congress and the DMK would be finalized soon, adding that discussions regarding the matter are currently underway. Speaking to ETV Bharat, Narayanasamy said, “Nominations close on Monday; however, I believe the alliance will hold, and a seat-sharing formula will be finalized shortly.”
The former Chief Minister asserted that the Congress party’s standing in Puducherry is currently very strong and that the party would launch its election campaign once the process for the withdrawal of nominations concludes on March 26. He added that the electorate is disgruntled with the NDA government and, following his recent tour across Puducherry, he senses that the people are in a mood to support the Congress party.
He stated, “The NDA government has lost the trust of the people due to issues of corruption and its failure to fulfill its electoral promises. Unemployment among the youth is alarmingly high. Puducherry is yearning for change. The Congress party stands ready to lead a government that prioritizes the welfare of the people.
We have worked extensively at the grassroots level over the past five years. During this period, we strengthened our organizational structure and actively raised issues concerning the public. Our recent *Padayatra* (foot march) across Puducherry received a very positive response from the people.” While on one hand the Congress has targeted the NDA government in Puducherry, on the other it has heaped praise upon the DMK-led government in Tamil Nadu.
Following the finalization of the alliance between the Congress and the DMK in Tamil Nadu, local leaders of the grand old party stated that the coalition would retain power based on the developmental work undertaken over the past five years under the leadership of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Both parties were also launching attacks on the BJP, which is attempting to expand its presence in this southern state through its regional allies—the AIADMK, PMK, and AMMK.
