In preparation for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), under the leadership of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has formed a significant alliance that includes a total of 21 parties. The Congress party is rejoining this coalition and has agreed to contest 28 seats. This decision was finalized during a crucial meeting between Chief Minister Stalin and K. Selvakumarunthagai, the president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, where the distribution of constituencies was officially sanctioned.

The agreement between DMK and Congress not only includes the allocation of assembly seats but also reserves a position for Congress in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, indicating a commitment to collaboration beyond the state level. This move stands out in Tamil Nadu's political landscape as it marks a historic moment where a single coalition is preparing for its fourth consecutive election without fracturing, which is a notable deviation from past practices where such alliances often disintegrated before completing a full electoral cycle.

DMK's press release emphasized the unprecedented nature of this stable coalition, suggesting a shift in Tamil Nadu's political dynamics. With historical precedence showing the collapse of alliances as they approached elections, this new agreement potentially reshapes the competitive framework for upcoming contests, positioning the alliance as a formidable entity in Tamil Nadu's politically charged environment.