DMK To Get Separate Seating Block In Lok Sabha Amid Growing Rift With Congress
DMK To Get Separate Seating Block In Lok Sabha Amid Growing Rift With Congress Reported By Edited By Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 21:22 IST
DMK To Get Separate Seating Block In Lok Sabha Amid Growing Rift With Congress Reported By Edited By Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 21:22 IST The final decision now rests with the Lok Sabha Speaker, though sources said the broad contours of the reshuffle have already been worked out. Parliamentary seating arrangements often reflect political alignments, and the DMK’s push to move away from the Congress benches is being viewed as the clearest indication. (Image: PTI FIle) The DMK’s request for a separate seating block in the Lok Sabha, away from its former ally Congress, is set to be accommodated, with sources indicating that the proposal has more or less been approved and is awaiting a final decision from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The move follows a formal request made by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi in a letter to the Speaker dated May 7. In the letter, Kanimozhi cited “changed political circumstances" and stated that the party’s alliance with the Congress had come to an end, making it inappropriate for DMK MPs to continue sharing the same seating block as Congress members in the House.
“In view of the changed political circumstances and as our alliance with the Indian Congress has come to an end, it may not be appropriate for our Members to continue occupying the present seating arrangement alongside them in the House," the letter said. She urged the Speaker to allot separate seating to DMK MPs so they could effectively discharge their parliamentary responsibilities. Sources said the government has already conveyed the DMK’s sentiments to the Speaker. Under the proposed rearrangement, the DMK is likely to be shifted to the third block currently occupied by the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Front-row seat number 354, presently allotted to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, is likely to be assigned to DMK parliamentary party leader T.R. Baalu. The TMC, in turn, is expected to move to the section currently occupied by the DMK. The request for separate seating comes amid a visible deterioration in ties between the DMK and Congress following the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The DMK has blamed the Congress for decisions taken during seat-sharing negotiations and the conduct of the campaign, with party leaders claiming that the alliance failed to meet expectations despite the DMK’s dominant position in the state. In another sign of the growing distance between the two parties, the DMK has announced that it will not participate in the INDI alliance meeting scheduled in New Delhi on June 8. The party said the decision was taken in deference to the sentiments of its cadres, who remain upset over what it described as the Congress’s “betrayal" after the Tamil Nadu Assembly election. At the same time, the DMK clarified that it would continue to support issues of national interest and would not oppose the opposition bloc on matters concerning the country. While the seating reshuffle is administrative in nature, it carries considerable political symbolism. Parliamentary seating arrangements often reflect political alignments, and the DMK’s push to move away from the Congress benches is being viewed as the clearest indication yet that the relationship between the two parties has entered a new and uncertain phase following the Tamil Nadu electoral setback.
The final decision now rests with the Lok Sabha Speaker, though sources said the broad contours of the reshuffle have already been worked out. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: June 04, 2026, 21:22 IST News india DMK To Get Separate Seating Block In Lok Sabha Amid Growing Rift With Congress Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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