Congress, DMK firm up alliance

Azad added that the Congress' goal was to put a DMK-led government in place.

Senior Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad on Saturday formally announced that the party will fight the Assembly polls in an alliance with the DMK.

"Our main goal is to put in place a government led by the DMK," he said after meeting DMK president M. Karunanidhi at his residence in Chennai.

Mr. Azad said the DMK leadership will identify other potential allies and initiate talks. On whether there would be a coalition government after polls, he said such "small things" do not matter at the moment.

On seat sharing, he said further talks would take place with DMK.

DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin said "Congress has promised full cooperation. Mr. Karunanidhi has already given an invite to DMDK. We are hopeful of a positive response".