Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Hits Out at Indian National Congress Over Support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam

Tensions have exploded within Tamil Nadu’s political landscape as Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam lashed out.

At its pre-poll ally Indian National Congress for backing Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in government formation talks following the election verdict. The sharpest attack came from DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai, who publicly branded Congress leaders as “backstabbers,” signalling a dramatic breakdown in what was once a key alliance.

DMK’s anger spills into the open

Annadurai didn’t hold back, reminding Congress that its modest electoral presence was largely built on the back of Chief Minister M K Stalin’s support. He also pointed to past political backing, noting how Stalin had stood by Rahul Gandhi during sustained attacks from BJP circles.

The remarks followed a late-night signal from Congress leadership, with K C Venugopal leaving the decision on post-poll alignment to the Tamil Nadu unit — effectively opening the door for a shift away from the DMK.

Congress moves toward TVK

Soon after, the state Congress unit moved swiftly. Sources indicate a resolution was passed to extend conditional support to TVK, including demands for cabinet berths and key organisational positions. A formal announcement is expected shortly, with Congress legislators likely to meet actor-turned-politician Vijay at Panaiyur.

TVK has also confirmed that lines of communication have been established, with outreach reportedly coordinated by Congress MP Karti Chidambaram.

TVK emerges as the pivot

In a major political shift, TVK — barely two years old — has emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, just short of a majority. The party has already ruled out any tie-up with the BJP, positioning the DMK as its principal rival moving forward.

To bridge the gap, Vijay has reached out to multiple parties that were earlier part of the DMK-led alliance, including VCK, CPI, CPI(M), and IUML — each holding a small but potentially decisive number of seats.

A rift long in the making

The current standoff didn’t emerge overnight. Friction between Congress and the DMK had been building even before the elections, particularly over power-sharing disagreements. With the verdict throwing up a fractured mandate, Congress now appears to have made a decisive pivot.

An earlier appeal by Vijay’s father, S A Chandrasekhar, urging Congress to align with TVK and regain political relevance, now seems to have found resonance.

What it means

With Congress moving closer to TVK and the DMK openly attacking its former ally, Tamil Nadu politics has entered a volatile new phase. The realignment not only reshapes government formation but also signals the end of a long-standing partnership — one that may now give way to a sharper, more fragmented political contest in the state.