Overview
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders held a marathon meeting with Tamil Nadu MPs and MLAs, took individual views and announced that the high command will decide the alliance course.
- Leaders were directed to maintain discipline and avoid public pronouncements, with sources noting internal differences over seeking more seats or ministerial berths and over ties with Vijay’s TVK.
- Accounts diverged on power-sharing: some reports said the TN unit will not insist on cabinet posts if the DMK wins a clear majority, while party statements indicated no final call and the DMK has reiterated it will not share power.
- AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami intensified attacks on the DMK, predicted Congress could exit that bloc and rolled out the first phase of welfare promises, including expanded cash support and free bus travel for men.
- Vijay’s TVK formed a 10-member campaign committee to cover all 234 constituencies, and the NDA announced a January 23 Madurantakam rally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that a Union minister said would showcase partners.