Overview
- The DMK and the Indian National Congress finalized a pact that gives Congress 28 of the 234 Assembly seats after weeks of negotiations.
- DMK plans to contest 172 constituencies under its Rising Sun symbol, with many smaller allies expected to use the same symbol to pool votes.
- The ruling front now counts roughly 26 partners in the Secular Progressive Alliance, including Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, MDMK and MMK.
- Seat-sharing with remaining allies is still being negotiated, with final allocations to be announced later.
- DMK leaders say the coalition’s secular platform and welfare record bolster re-election prospects as AIADMK backed by the BJP and the new party launched by actor-politician Vijay shape the contest.