Chennai, February 27, 2026: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K. Selvaperunthagai has confirmed that the Congress party has been allocated one Rajya Sabha seat within the DMK-led alliance, with the candidate expected to file nomination within the next day or two. The announcement puts to rest speculation about the seat-sharing arrangement between the two allies ahead of the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections.
Speaking to reporters, Selvaperunthagai asserted that the Congress party has not held any talks with Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), dismissing media reports suggesting otherwise as “distorted” and “highly condemnable.” He emphasized that party in-charge Girish Chodankar has repeatedly stated that the Congress is negotiating only with the DMK.
DMK – Congress alliance : “Strong alliance, No third front”
“The India alliance under the leadership of the DMK is strong. I repeat again and again that this cannot be destroyed, demolished, or eliminated. The forces that try to do this will fail,” Selvaperunthagai said.
He accused the BJP of disguising itself as the AIADMK and attempting to “destroy, eliminate Tamil Nadu and pawn the power of Tamil Nadu in Delhi.” He questioned whether the Congress would allow the AIADMK and BJP to gain a foothold in the state.
Referring to reports that Chodankar had spoken about talks with TVK, Selvaperunthagai stated, “When did our in-charge Girish Chodankar say that the Congress is holding talks with TVK? He never said that. Girish Chodankar has said many times that we are holding talks with the DMK.”
Recent meetings and deepening ties
Selvaperunthagai revealed that just two days ago, All India Congress Committee General Secretary K.C. Venugopal met with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The following day, Chodankar and Selvaperunthagai himself met with DMK MP Kanimozhi.
“Our relationship is a deep relationship, a very strong relationship, an ideological alliance. This is a winning alliance,” he asserted, adding that he had personally spoken to Chodankar this morning who denied making any statements about talks with TVK.
DMK – Congress seat-sharing details
According to reports, the Congress party is expected to contest 27 assembly seats in the upcoming elections. The DMK has reportedly promised one Rajya Sabha seat to the Congress, which Selvaperunthagai has now confirmed.
Tamil Nadu Rajya Sabha Election schedule
The filing of nominations for six vacant Rajya Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu has commenced. Elections will be held on March 16. The terms of DMK MPs Trichy Siva, N.R. Elango, Kanimozhi, and Anthiyur Selvaraj, along with AIADMK’s Thambidurai and AIADMK-backed TAMAGA leader G.K. Vasan, expire on April 2.
The Election Commission of India has appointed Shanthi, Additional Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Secretariat, as the Returning Officer. Nominations can be filed until March 5, with March 9 being the last date for withdrawal of candidatures.
Based on the current strength of MLAs, the DMK is in a position to elect four MPs and the AIADMK two MPs to the Rajya Sabha.