Ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, seat-sharing talks between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress (Congress) have formally begun. Congress leader KC Venugopal met Chief Minister MK Stalin at his Alwarpet residence to convey the party's expectations and preferred constituencies. The meeting follows DMK MP Kanimozhi's recent discussions with Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, signaling early negotiations within the alliance as the 2026 battle takes shape.