The Indian National Congress high command has decisively intervened to quell weeks of speculation surrounding the stability of its alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu. A marathon closed-door meeting was held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in New Delhi, chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, along with 42 senior leaders from Tamil Nadu. The primary outcome of the meeting was a firm directive that the alliance with the DMK, deemed "too vital to risk" for the party's national strategy, particularly with an eye on the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, would not be disturbed. The speculation had been fueled by various factors, including persistent demands from a section of the Tamil Nadu Congress for greater seat-sharing and a share in power within the state government, a notion the DMK has historically resisted. Remarks by Congress's research cell head, Praveen Chakravarty, criticizing the financial health of the Tamil Nadu government and his meeting with actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), further strained ties and sparked rumors of potential realignments. During the high-level meeting, the Tamil Nadu leadership presented a detailed report on internal dissent, with Kharge reportedly questioning leaders about airing grievances publicly. Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal later confirmed that a "clear directive" was issued to state leaders to maintain discipline and refrain from public statements or speculation concerning the alliance. While the high command reaffirmed its commitment to the DMK alliance, it also acknowledged the state leaders' views on needing better representation in the Assembly and local bodies, indicating that Kharge and Gandhi would make a final decision on these issues. This intervention aims to present a united front ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2026, for which the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance is considered a frontrunner.