T.N. Assembly poll: MDMK will seek seats that will ensure Election Commission recognition, says Durai Vaiko

Tiruchi Member of Parliament and principal secretary of the MDMK, Durai Vaiko, on Thursday (February 12, 2026), said that the rank and file of his party believe that winning at least eight seats in the upcoming Assembly elections would ensure the recognition of the party and the MDMK leadership would place its demand on allocation of seats accordingly with the DMK, the leader of the alliance in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to The Hindu over phone, Mr. Durai Vaiko said the MDMK was part of the alliance for eight years, and it was the first party to convey its stand on continuing in the alliance and asserting its unwavering support to the DMK.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko had clearly explained the party’s stand on the alliance. His party would stand by its commitment. The rank and file of the party would also toe this line. “As far as the allocation of seats is concerned, the cadres believe that winning at least eight seats will ensure the party to get the Election Commission of India’s recognition. The MDMK leadership will put forth its demand accordingly to the DMK. I hope the DMK leadership will accord positive response,” Mr. Durai Vaiko said.

On whether the MDMK would seek sharing of power, he said that there would be no need for a coalition Government in the State and the DMK would form the next government on its own. Mr. Vaiko had already made his stand clear on the issue.

Asked whether the difference of opinion between the leaders of the DMK and the Congress on sharing power would lead to break up of the DMK-led alliance, the MDMK principal secretary said that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had been maintaining a very close relationship beyond politics. They would resolve the issues amicably and the Congress would continue to be part of the alliance in the State.

When pointed out that some parties, mainly the Congress, expressed disappointment over the undue delay in formation of the DMK committee to negotiate seat sharing with the alliance partners, Mr. Durai Vaiko said that strategic reasons might have delayed the DMK to form the committee. It had been announced that the DMK would start seat-sharing talks with the alliance partners from February 22.