Fresh signs of tension within the INDIA bloc emerged on Friday after Kanimozhi wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking a change in seating arrangements for DMK MPs in Parliament. The request comes after major political changes in Tamil Nadu and signals a growing distance between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress.

The latest development follows the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, which reshaped the state’s political equation. Actor Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as a major force after winning 108 seats. However, the party fell short of the majority mark of 118 seats by just 10 seats.

Congress, which managed to win five seats in the elections, extended conditional support to Vijay’s TVK for government formation in the state. The move also marked the end of Congress’s alliance with the DMK, leading to visible cracks within the Opposition alliance at the national level.

Against this backdrop, Kanimozhi formally requested a separate seating arrangement for DMK MPs in the Lok Sabha. In her letter to the Speaker, she pointed to the changed political situation and the end of the alliance between the two parties.

"I write to respectfully request suitable changes in the seating arrangement of the MP belonging to the DMK in the Lok Sabha. In view of the changed political circumstances and as our alliance with the Indian National 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...," DMK MP Kanimozhi said in her letter.

The letter has added to speculation about increasing differences among the INDIA bloc partners. The alliance, which was formed to jointly challenge the ruling BJP at the national level, has faced repeated internal disagreements in recent months. The latest political shifts in Tamil Nadu appear to have further strained relations among key Opposition parties.

The issue also triggered reactions from leaders of other INDIA bloc parties. Akhilesh Yadav, chief of the Samajwadi Party, took an indirect swipe at Congress after his meetings with Mamata Banerjee and M. K. Stalin.

Yadav shared pictures from his meetings with Banerjee and Stalin on X and posted the caption: "We are not the ones who leave during difficult times".

Though he did not mention Congress directly, the remark was widely seen as a criticism of the party amid the changing political alignments in Tamil Nadu. The statement quickly gained attention as it came at a time when Opposition unity was already in question.

Kanimozhi later responded to Akhilesh Yadav’s post and thanked him publicly for his support. "Thank you for the solidarity and support @yadavakhilesh," she posted on X.

The exchange between the two leaders further highlighted the growing discomfort within the INDIA bloc. Political observers believe the developments could impact Opposition unity ahead of future national political battles. The DMK and Congress had earlier worked closely as alliance partners, particularly in Tamil Nadu, but the recent electoral changes appear to have altered those equations significantly.

The political developments in Tamil Nadu have now started reflecting in Parliament as well. Kanimozhi’s request for separate seating arrangements may appear procedural, but it carries strong political messaging. It underlines the growing divide between former allies and signals that the relationship between DMK and Congress has entered a new phase after the Assembly election results.

The developments also show how regional political changes are beginning to reshape the larger Opposition landscape. With parties recalculating alliances and political strategies, the INDIA bloc now faces fresh questions over its unity and future direction.