Overview On 20 February 2026 , K. Kanimozhi , Member of Parliament from Thoothukudi , reiterated the durability of the DMK‑Congress alliance and dismissed any speculation of a split. Addressing the media, she also criticised the opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami for allegedly “mortgaging the State” and responded to a walk‑out staged by BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran over the interim budget . Key Developments Alliance Stability: Kanimozhi affirmed that the DMK‑Congress partnership is a long‑standing, stable coalition with no prospect of alteration, underscoring its role in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Opposition Rebuttal: She accused the opposition leader, Edappadi K. Palaniswami , of jeopardising the state’s interests, highlighting the DMK’s ideological commitment to state autonomy and federalism. Budget Walkout Response: When queried about Nainar Nagenthran 's protest against the interim budget, Kanimozhi clarified that while interim budgets rarely contain major announcements, this one does reference important schemes for youth , the sports sector , and other areas, and labelled the walkout as “political drama”. Important Facts Fact 1: The statement was made in Thoothukudi on 20 Feb 2026 , a day after the interim budget was presented. Fact 2: The DMK’s core ideology emphasizes “state autonomy in the State and federalism in the Centre”, a principle invoked to contrast with the opposition’s stance. UPSC Relevance This episode touches upon several UPSC‑relevant themes: the dynamics of coalition politics (GS‑II), centre‑state relations and federalism (GS‑II), the role of opposition parties in parliamentary democracy (GS‑II), and the procedural nuances of interim versus full budgets (GS‑III). Potential questions may explore the stability of regional‑national alliances, the impact of opposition tactics on legislative business, or the significance of interim budgets in fiscal policy. Way Forward Continued cohesion between the DMK and Congress could shape Tamil Nadu’s governance trajectory, especially if the alliance translates into a decisive mandate in forthcoming state elections. Meanwhile, the episode underscores the need for constructive parliamentary debate rather than performative disruptions, ensuring that budgetary discussions remain policy‑focused and inclusive of youth‑centric schemes.