
Sun Feb 22 16:30:44 UTC 2026: Headline: Congress Leader K.C. Venugopal Meets Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Amid Seat-Sharing Negotiations
The Story: Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal met with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at his residence in Chennai on February 22, 2026, to discuss seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming Assembly elections. This meeting occurred ahead of the originally scheduled talks between the DMK and the Congress seat-sharing committee on February 26 or 27. The Congress is reportedly seeking more seats than the 25 it was allocated in the 2021 elections.
Key Points:
- K.C. Venugopal met with M.K. Stalin on February 22, 2026, to discuss Assembly election seat-sharing.
- The meeting was held at Stalin’s Alwarpet residence.
- The Congress is pushing for more seats than the 25 it received in 2021.
- Venugopal was accompanied by TNCC President Selvaperunthagai and Girish Chodankar.
- A sealed envelope from Sonia Gandhi was delivered to Stalin.
Critical Analysis:
The meeting’s early occurrence suggests a sense of urgency or a need for direct communication between the Congress high command and the DMK leader. The Congress’s public stance of “pressing for more seats” indicates a potential point of contention in the alliance negotiations. The delivery of a sealed envelope from Sonia Gandhi points to the importance of the negotiation and the potential for specific demands or assurances from the Congress leadership.
Key Takeaways:
- Seat-sharing negotiations between the DMK and Congress are underway for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
- The Congress is aiming to increase its seat allocation compared to the 2021 elections.
- The early meeting and the involvement of senior leaders highlight the strategic importance of the DMK-Congress alliance.
- The Congress party is actively engaged in various activities, including protests, rebuttals to the Prime Minister, and internal leadership discussions.
- The political landscape in Tamil Nadu is heating up as parties strategize for the upcoming elections.
Impact Analysis:
The outcome of these seat-sharing negotiations will significantly impact the strength and stability of the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu. A successful negotiation could lead to a united front against opposing parties, while disagreements could strain the relationship and potentially alter the political dynamics in the state. The number of seats secured by the Congress will determine its influence within the alliance and its ability to shape policy decisions in the future.