Even as Congress leaders met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK Chief MK Stalin in Chennai on Sunday evening amid seat sharing buzz, the party sources on Monday indicated that the party has been demanding for 45 seats in the upcoming polls based on review of 2021 assembly poll results especially on seats where the AIADMK and BJP had won.
On Sunday evening, Congress general secretary organisation KC Venugopal and party’s senior observer TS Singh Deo met Stalin in Chennai.
According to sources, the three leaders had a detailed discussion on several issues.
Meanwhile, party insiders pointed out the rational behind the grand old party’s push for 45 seats in the upcoming polls in the southern state and said that its demand is based on a review of the 2021 election results.
The source sqid the in the last election, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) contested on 173 seats out of the 234 seats in the state.
Th qource said that out of the 173 seats the DMK contested, it won 133 and lost on 40 seats.
The source pointed out that the most of the seats the DMK lost was to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The party insiders pointed out that Congress believes at least 20 of those lost seats are winnable if allotted to it.
The source claimed this while citing stronger local presence and better consolidation in direct contests.
The source said the 45-seat demand is aimed at “improving winnability, strengthening the alliance, and ensuring a more balanced seat-sharing formula ahead of 2026 polls” in the state.
The seat sharing talks between the two parties is all set to start in the southern state as the DMK has also formed seven member negotiation committee under the chairmanship of TR Baalu.
Meanwhile, according to sources, the DMK is considering to provide 27 to 32 seats in the 2026 assembly polls.
Meanwhile, senior DMK leader Kanimozhi has been assigned to speak to Congress for coordinating for the seat sharing talks.
