DMK-Congress alliance: A flawed beginning and lack of cohesion

DMK leader M.K. Stalin has completed numerous campaign tours across Tamil Nadu, but Congress high command in Delhi shows little interest in the election, with Rahul Gandhi yet to visit the state and absent from joint appearances with Mr. Stalin. This lack of coordination has caused anxiety among local leaders and cadres, leading to six rebel Congress candidates filing nominations despite an agreement allocating seats to both parties. Despite this, Mr. Stalin has entrusted DMK district secretaries with campaigning for all alliance candidates, offering ministerial berths as incentives.