11 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

4 min

Polity & GovernanceNEWS

DMK to Commence Seat-Sharing Talks for Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

DMK will begin seat-sharing talks with alliance partners on February 22.

The DMK announced it would begin seat-sharing talks for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election on February 22, after Congress leaders expressed disappointment over delays. A committee will be appointed by DMK president M.K. Stalin to hold talks with alliance partners.

The interim budget will be presented on February 17, and the Budget Session will conclude on February 22. The DMK cited ongoing party activities and welfare scheme implementation as reasons for the delay. Congress leaders expressed concern over the delay and its impact on candidate selection and campaign planning.

Key Facts

DMK will begin seat-sharing talks for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election on February 22.

A committee will be appointed by DMK president M.K. Stalin to hold talks with alliance partners.

The interim budget will be presented on February 17, and the Budget Session will conclude on February 22.

Congress leaders expressed disappointment over delays in starting seat-sharing negotiations.

The DMK cited ongoing party activities and welfare scheme implementation as reasons for the delay.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Political parties and electoral processes

Connects to syllabus areas of Indian Constitution, electoral reforms, and coalition politics

Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical questions on the impact of coalition governments

Visual Insights

DMK's Seat-Sharing Talks: Context and Timeline

Timeline of key events leading up to the DMK's seat-sharing talks for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in February 2026.

DMK's political trajectory and recent electoral successes set the stage for the 2026 Assembly elections and seat-sharing negotiations.

2019DMK wins a significant number of seats in the Lok Sabha elections, signaling a resurgence in Tamil Nadu politics.
2021DMK wins the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, ending AIADMK's rule.
2024Lok Sabha Elections; DMK alliance performs well in Tamil Nadu.
February 17, 2026Interim budget presented before the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
February 22, 2026DMK announces commencement of seat-sharing talks for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections after Congress expresses disappointment over delays.

More Information

Background

The process of seat-sharing in Indian elections is a complex negotiation between political parties forming alliances. It's rooted in the need for coalition governments, especially in states with multi-party systems. The Indian Constitution provides the framework for elections, but the specifics of alliances and seat-sharing are determined by the parties themselves. This often involves intense bargaining, considering factors like vote share, regional influence, and candidate strength. Historically, coalition governments and seat-sharing arrangements have become increasingly common since the late 1980s. The decline of single-party dominance led to the rise of regional parties and the necessity of forming alliances to gain a majority. Key milestones include the formation of the United Front governments in the 1990s and the subsequent rise of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). These alliances demonstrated the importance of seat-sharing in achieving electoral success. The legal and constitutional framework governing elections is primarily defined by the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the directives of the Election Commission of India (ECI). While these laws and regulations do not directly govern seat-sharing, they provide the overall context for electoral processes, including candidate nomination, campaign finance, and the conduct of elections. The ECI plays a crucial role in ensuring free and fair elections, indirectly influencing the dynamics of seat-sharing by enforcing regulations and monitoring electoral malpractices.

Latest Developments

In recent years, regional parties have gained more prominence in national politics, influencing the dynamics of coalition formation. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections saw various regional parties playing a crucial role in government formation. This trend highlights the increasing importance of state-level alliances and seat-sharing arrangements. Currently, there are ongoing debates regarding the effectiveness and fairness of coalition governments. Some argue that coalitions lead to policy paralysis and instability, while others emphasize their role in representing diverse interests and promoting inclusive governance. Institutions like NITI Aayog have been studying the impact of coalition politics on policy implementation and development outcomes. Looking ahead, the trend of coalition governments is expected to continue, especially in states with strong regional parties. The upcoming elections will likely witness intense negotiations and strategic alliances as parties seek to maximize their electoral gains. The success of these alliances will depend on effective seat-sharing arrangements and a shared vision for governance. The role of the Election Commission of India will be crucial in ensuring a level playing field for all parties involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key dates related to the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections mentioned in the news?

The key dates are February 17, when the interim budget will be presented, and February 22, when the DMK will commence seat-sharing talks and the Budget Session concludes.

Exam Tip

Remember these dates in chronological order to avoid confusion in prelims MCQs.

2. Why is the DMK's decision to start seat-sharing talks newsworthy?

The DMK's decision is newsworthy because Congress leaders expressed disappointment over delays in starting seat-sharing negotiations. This highlights the importance of alliances in state assembly elections and the complexities of coalition politics.

3. What is seat-sharing in the context of state assembly elections, and why is it important?

Seat-sharing is a negotiation process where political parties in an alliance decide which party will contest from which constituency. It's important for maximizing the alliance's chances of winning by avoiding vote splitting and ensuring a united front against opponents.

4. How might the delay in seat-sharing talks affect the Tamil Nadu Assembly election?

The delay could potentially impact candidate selection and campaign planning for alliance partners, as mentioned by Congress leaders. A delayed agreement might leave less time for effective campaigning and coordination, possibly affecting the alliance's overall performance.

5. Who are the key personalities involved in the DMK's seat-sharing talks?

According to the news, M.K. Stalin, the DMK president, will appoint a committee to hold talks with alliance partners. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Girish Chodankar have also been mentioned in relation to the delays in starting negotiations.

Exam Tip

Remember M.K. Stalin's role as the DMK president in the context of these talks.

6. What reasons did the DMK give for the delay in commencing seat-sharing talks?

The DMK cited ongoing party activities and the implementation of welfare schemes as reasons for the delay in starting seat-sharing talks.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding seat-sharing arrangements in Indian elections: 1. Seat-sharing is explicitly mandated by the Indian Constitution to ensure fair representation of all parties. 2. The Representation of the People Act, 1951, provides a detailed framework for seat-sharing negotiations between political parties. 3. The DMK announced it would begin seat-sharing talks for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election on February 22. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.3 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The Indian Constitution does not explicitly mandate seat-sharing. It provides the framework for elections, but seat-sharing is a result of negotiations between political parties. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The Representation of the People Act, 1951, provides the overall context for elections but does not detail seat-sharing negotiations. Statement 3 is CORRECT: According to the news summary, the DMK announced it would begin seat-sharing talks for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election on February 22.

2. Which of the following factors typically influence seat-sharing negotiations between political parties in India? 1. Vote share of each party in previous elections 2. Regional influence and strength of each party 3. Candidate strength and winnability 4. Directives from the Election Commission of India Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1, 2 and 3
D.1, 2, 3 and 4

Show Answer

Answer: C

Factors 1, 2, and 3 are correct. Vote share, regional influence, and candidate strength are key considerations in seat-sharing negotiations. Factor 4 is incorrect. While the Election Commission of India (ECI) oversees the electoral process, it does not directly dictate seat-sharing arrangements. These are determined by the parties themselves.

3. Assertion (A): Coalition governments have become increasingly common in India since the late 1980s. Reason (R): The decline of single-party dominance led to the rise of regional parties and the necessity of forming alliances to gain a majority. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
B.Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
C.A is true, but R is false
D.A is false, but R is true

Show Answer

Answer: A

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A). The decline of single-party dominance indeed led to the rise of regional parties, making coalition governments a necessity for achieving a majority in elections.