16 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

4 min

Polity & GovernanceNEWS

Congress MP Criticizes DMK, Demands Respect and Power Share

Congress leader Manickam Tagore criticizes DMK for corruption, demands respect, power.

Photo by Daniel Stiel

Tamil Nadu's DMK-Congress relationship is strained after Congress leader Manickam Tagore criticized the DMK for past corruption allegations. Tagore demanded the DMK take action against MLA G. Thalapathi, who questioned Congress's strength.

He also wants a power share and more seats for Congress. State Congress chief K. Selvaperunthagai cautioned against comments against the DMK, warning of potential party action.

Praveen Chakravarthy cast doubts on the DMK-led alliance's winnability based solely on welfare schemes.

Key Facts

Manickam Tagore criticized the DMK for past corruption allegations.

Tagore demanded action against DMK MLA G. Thalapathi for questioning Congress's strength.

Tagore wants a power share and more seats for Congress.

State Congress chief K. Selvaperunthagai cautioned against comments against the DMK.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Coalition politics, inter-state relations

GS Paper II: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation

Potential question types: Statement-based MCQs on coalition dynamics, analytical questions on the role of regional parties

In Simple Words

The Congress party in Tamil Nadu is upset with its ally, the DMK. A Congress leader said they've been blamed for the DMK's past mistakes. Now, they want more power and seats in the government.

India Angle

In India, political parties often form alliances to win elections. This situation shows how difficult it can be to keep everyone happy in an alliance. Smaller parties often feel they're not getting enough say.

For Instance

It's like when a group of friends decides to start a business together. If one friend feels like they're doing all the work but not getting enough profit, they'll probably complain.

This matters because it affects who gets to make decisions in the government. If the alliance falls apart, it could change the entire political landscape.

Unhappy allies can shake up the whole political game.

More Information

Background

The relationship between the DMK and Congress in Tamil Nadu has historically been one of alliance and occasional tension. The DMK, founded by C.N. Annadurai, rose to power on a platform of social justice and regional autonomy. The Congress, while once dominant in the state, has seen its influence wane over the decades, often relying on alliances with regional parties like the DMK to remain relevant in state politics. These alliances are often based on seat sharing arrangements during elections, which can become points of contention. Past corruption allegations against the DMK have been a recurring theme in Tamil Nadu politics. These allegations have sometimes strained relationships with alliance partners, including the Congress. The dynamics of power-sharing and the allocation of seats are crucial aspects of coalition politics in the state. Demands for a greater share of power and more seats often reflect the perceived strength and bargaining power of each party within the alliance. The current criticism from the Congress MP and the subsequent caution from the state Congress chief highlight these ongoing tensions. The role of welfare schemes in Tamil Nadu politics is significant. The DMK has often relied on populist measures to maintain its support base. However, the sustainability and effectiveness of these schemes are often debated, as highlighted by Praveen Chakravarthy's doubts about the DMK-led alliance's winnability based solely on welfare schemes. This raises questions about the long-term political strategy and the need for broader governance reforms beyond welfare measures.

Latest Developments

In recent years, Tamil Nadu's political landscape has seen a consolidation of power by the DMK, especially after the death of AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa. The DMK's focus has been on reinforcing its social justice agenda and implementing various welfare schemes. The State Finance Commission plays a crucial role in allocating resources to local bodies, and its recommendations often influence the state's fiscal policies. The Congress, as a junior partner in the alliance, has been trying to assert its relevance and bargaining power. The demand for more seats and a share in power reflects this ambition. The dynamics of coalition governments in India often involve negotiations and compromises between alliance partners. These negotiations can be particularly challenging when there are differences in ideology or when one party feels its interests are not being adequately represented. Looking ahead, the success of the DMK-Congress alliance will depend on their ability to resolve internal differences and present a united front. The upcoming elections will be a crucial test of their strength and cohesion. The performance of the state government and the effectiveness of its welfare schemes will also play a significant role in shaping public opinion. The role of the Election Commission of India in ensuring free and fair elections is also vital for maintaining the integrity of the democratic process.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key issues straining the DMK-Congress relationship in Tamil Nadu, as highlighted in recent news?

The DMK-Congress relationship is strained due to Congress leader Manickam Tagore's criticism of the DMK regarding past corruption allegations. Tagore also demanded action against a DMK MLA and a greater power share for Congress. The state Congress chief cautioned against these comments, indicating internal disagreement.

2. How might the demand for a greater power share by Congress impact coalition politics in Tamil Nadu?

The demand for a greater power share could lead to increased bargaining and potential friction within the DMK-led alliance. It might force the DMK to concede more seats or positions to Congress, potentially upsetting the balance of power and resource allocation within the coalition. This could also embolden other alliance partners to demand more.

3. What background information is important to understand the current DMK-Congress dynamic in Tamil Nadu?

Historically, the DMK and Congress have had a relationship of alliance and tension. Congress was once dominant but now relies on alliances with regional parties like the DMK. The DMK rose to power on social justice and regional autonomy platforms.

4. What related concepts are important to understand the DMK-Congress issue for the UPSC exam?

Key related concepts include coalition politics, federalism, electoral alliances, and pressure groups. Understanding these concepts provides a broader context for analyzing the dynamics between national and regional parties.

•Coalition politics: How different parties form a government together.
•Federalism: The division of powers between the central and state governments.
•Electoral Alliances: Agreements between parties to contest elections together.
•Pressure Groups: Groups that try to influence government policies.

5. What are the potential implications of Praveen Chakravarthy's doubts on the DMK-led alliance's winnability based solely on welfare schemes?

Chakravarthy's doubts suggest that relying solely on welfare schemes might not guarantee electoral success. It implies that other factors, such as governance, anti-incumbency, and alliance dynamics, also play a crucial role in determining election outcomes. This highlights the complexity of electoral politics beyond direct benefits.

6. What is the role of the State Finance Commission, and how does it relate to the current political dynamics in Tamil Nadu?

The State Finance Commission allocates resources to local bodies. Its recommendations influence resource distribution, which can become a point of contention between the ruling party and its allies, especially when demands for greater power and resources arise.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding coalition politics in India: 1. Coalition governments often involve negotiations and compromises between alliance partners. 2. Demands for a greater share of power and more seats always reflect the actual strength of each party within the alliance. 3. The Election Commission of India plays no role in seat sharing arrangements between parties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: Coalition governments inherently require negotiation and compromise as different parties with varying ideologies and interests come together to form a government. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: Demands for power share and seats may reflect perceived strength or strategic bargaining, not necessarily the actual strength on the ground. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: While the Election Commission of India does not directly dictate seat-sharing, it oversees the electoral process and ensures compliance with regulations, indirectly influencing the dynamics of seat allocation.

2. Which of the following statements accurately describes the historical relationship between the DMK and the Congress in Tamil Nadu?

A.The DMK and Congress have always been political rivals with no instances of alliance.
B.The Congress has consistently been the dominant political force in Tamil Nadu, with the DMK playing a minor role.
C.The relationship has been one of alliance and occasional tension, with the Congress often relying on the DMK for political relevance in the state.
D.The DMK has always been subservient to the Congress, following its directives in all political matters.

Show Answer

Answer: C

Option C is the most accurate. Historically, the DMK and Congress have alternated between being allies and rivals. The Congress, after losing its dominance in Tamil Nadu, has often relied on alliances with regional parties like the DMK to maintain a presence in the state. This relationship has been marked by both cooperation and periods of tension, particularly over issues like seat sharing and policy differences.

3. Assertion (A): State Finance Commissions are crucial for resource allocation to local bodies. Reason (R): The recommendations of State Finance Commissions often influence the state's fiscal policies. 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 the assertion and the reason are correct, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. State Finance Commissions are indeed vital for determining the principles governing the distribution of taxes between the state and its local bodies. Their recommendations on resource allocation directly impact the fiscal policies of the state government.