Chennai: Signalling a extra assertive posture throughout the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Secular Progressive Alliance, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) shortlisted round 125 constituencies out of 234 that provide successful prospects within the 2026 meeting elections. This comes days after the occasion suffered a crushing defeat within the Bihar polls.

Sources within the Congress mentioned the interior evaluation will type the idea of the occasion’s seat-sharing negotiations with the DMK management subsequent week.

Talking to ThePrint, Selvaperunthagai confirmed that the committee has begun figuring out constituencies the place the Congress sees a reputable likelihood of victory. 

“We now have began reviewing the seats the Tamil Nadu Congress ought to ideally contest in 2026. The main target is simply on winnability. Internally, we’ve got recognized 125 constituencies the place we see a robust likelihood of successful,” he mentioned.

He added that the occasion has not but mounted the variety of seats it’s going to demand from the DMK. “No numbers have been finalised. As soon as the checklist is prepared, we’ll meet the DMK management subsequent week for formal discussions.”

Sources indicated that this time, Congress plans to push for a bigger share of seats.

A senior chief informed ThePrint that the occasion is prone to demand a minimum of 40 seats, pointing to its strike price within the final meeting polls, “In 2021, we contested 25 seats and gained 18. Our efficiency has been persistently good, the place we’ve got had organisational power. We are going to replicate that within the talks.”

Within the 2016 meeting election, Congress—a part of the DMK-led alliance—was allotted 41 seats, however had gained solely eight. Equally, in 2011, DMK had allotted 63, however the Congress had gained solely 5.

The seat-by-seat evaluation ready by the five-member committee can be submitted to the AICC management earlier than the state unit initiates formal negotiations with the DMK.

Congress leaders say the ultimate checklist of “precedence constituencies” will assist form each the occasion’s organisational technique and its bargaining place because the alliance prepares for a high-stakes contest.

“We now have sought an appointment with the chief minister. We are going to start the dialogue by subsequent week itself. Formally, as soon as DMK types a committee to speak about seat sharing, the dialogue will start with the committee,” Selvaperunthagai informed ThePrint.

When requested about it, DMK spokesperson T.Okay.S. Elangovan mentioned that it was pure for any alliance occasion to hunt extra seats. “Seat sharing and constituency selecting course of can be taken care of by the committee that can be quickly appointed by the occasion management. The committee, beneath the steering of our chief, will negotiate with the alliance companions,” Elangovan informed ThePrint.

(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)

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