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Chennai: Congress Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore has stirred the political waters in Tamil Nadu by asserting that “no one can win in Tamil Nadu without an alliance” and openly questioning whether it is time to discuss “not only power but also power-sharing.” His remarks, made on social media platform X, have intensified focus on the ongoing, often tense, negotiations between the Congress and its longtime ally, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.
Tagore’s statement comes amid persistent speculation about a potential Congress alliance with actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). While not naming any specific party, his public musings on power-sharing are seen as a significant nudge to the DMK leadership, which has previously firmly rejected any formal coalition government arrangement.
A Post That Revives Friction in DMK - Congress Alliance
On his X account, Tagore cited electoral data, stating, “Alliance is the political reality in Tamil Nadu. Every party has its own vote base… But, no one can win in Tamil Nadu without an alliance.” He then pivoted to the more provocative question: “Isn't it time to discuss not only power but also power-sharing?”
This intervention adds to a series of recent frictions within the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance. Just weeks ago, Congress data analytics chief Praveen Chakravarty, a close aide to Rahul Gandhi, sparked a major row by stating that Tamil Nadu borrows more than Uttar Pradesh, leading to strong rebuttals from Tamil Nadu Congress leaders like Selva Perunthagai and MPs Jothimani and Sasikant Senthil.
Analysts See a Strategic Push Amid Internal Tensions
Political analysts view Tagore’s comments as a tactical move reflecting the Congress’s broader national strategy and its specific anxieties in Tamil Nadu. “The Congress usually prefers to contest a large number of constituencies. Rahul Gandhi is implementing this strategy,” noted one analyst. The belief in certain quarters of the party is that contesting more seats, regardless of immediate wins, builds long-term organizational presence.
However, this approach has drawn criticism, especially after the party’s performance in the recent Bihar elections, where it insisted on a large seat share but suffered significant losses. Critics argue that by demanding more seats than it can viably win, the Congress risks weakening the alliance and indirectly aiding the opposition.
Tagore’s direct reference to “power-sharing” moves the debate beyond mere seat allocation to the core of government formation—a demand the DMK has consistently resisted. The statement is likely to ramp up pressure behind the scenes as formal seat-sharing talks are yet to commence in earnest, setting the stage for a complex negotiation period in the run-up to the polls.
