CPI-M Demands Six Seats in DMK-Led Alliance Ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

Seat-sharing talks in the DMK-led alliance for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections have reached a critical stage. The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) is adamant on its demand for six seats, leading to a stalemate in the negotiations. In the 2021 assembly elections, the CPI-M contested six seats as part of the DMK alliance and managed to win two seats. Here, as preparations for the 2026 elections gather pace, the party leadership is keen to retain its previous share. They argue that their presence on the ground and the strength of workers justify this demand. However, the arrival of new alliance partners such as the DMDK and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) has increased the pressure on seat-sharing, leading the DMK leadership to propose a cut in the number of seats to be given to existing allies. The CPI-M's first internal meeting on the issue on Saturday lasted from 3 am to 4 pm, followed by a lengthy state committee meeting.