In the run-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Congress has begun seeking a greater share of seats from its ally, the DMK, while simultaneously warming up to actor Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). According to sources, senior Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu have been trying to convince the party high command in Delhi to explore an understanding with Vijay, leveraging his growing popularity not only in Tamil Nadu but also in Kerala and Puducherry.

The DMK, which leads the ruling alliance in the state, has reportedly taken note of the increasing proximity between Congress and TVK. Party insiders said that the DMK leadership has expressed concern over Congress’s overtures, worried that it might disrupt the current coalition dynamics. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin even made a veiled remark during a recent event, alluding to “the hand leaving,” a clear reference to Congress’s symbol, while sharing the stage with a Congress MP.

Amid these developments, the DMK has been in talks to allocate Congress some constituencies previously won by the AIADMK as part of its seat-sharing strategy. However, leaders confirmed that any final decision regarding alliances and seat divisions would ultimately rest with the Congress leadership in Delhi.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore earlier said that Vijay was emerging as a new political force capable of challenging the opposition and praised his stance against the BJP and the RSS. Tagore added that seat-sharing negotiations were routine and that the party was confident heading into the 2026 elections. He accused the BJP of attempting “vote chori” through the SIR and voter deletion measures, and while he said it was too early to discuss a formal alliance with Vijay, he did not dismiss the possibility. As Tamil Nadu’s political scene heats up, the Congress’s balancing act between maintaining ties with the DMK and exploring new equations with Vijay’s TVK could reshape alliances ahead of the 2026 polls.